Semarang to host karate c'ships

SEMARANG (JP): Semarang will host the national karate championships from July 29 to July 30 at Jatidiri Stadium, organizing committee chairman Bambang Raya Saputra has said.

"At least 500 karatekas throughout the country will attend the championships. They are registered in 26 chapters of the Indonesian Karate Federation (Forki) and another 25 karatekas are sent by their clubs," Bambang told The Jakarta Post.

He said Forki used the championships to unearth national karatekas who would compete in the international karate championships in Kazakhstan.

Minister of Home Affairs Soerjadi Soedirja will open the championships while Forki chairman Wiranto will close it. The champion will get Minister of Home Affair's Trophy. (har)