Karate-do Japan Ambassador Cup (31st August, 2014)
On 31st August, the inaugural karate-do Japan Ambassador Cup was held in Kigali. It was organized jointly and sponsored by Rwanda Karate Federation (FERWAKA) and the Japanese Embassy. There were about 150 participants who performed heated games before an audience of more than 300 people. All of them were 16 teams, including 4 women’s teams and 12 men’s teams, fought for the championship under the four different categories namely; women’s kata, woman’s kumite, men’s kata and men’s kumite. In addition, this time Mr. Hidekazu Mizutani who came to Rwanda to train from 1987 to 1989 as a first Japanese Karate Instructor under the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers Program (JOCV) was invited to give one week training session and played a role as a main referee for this tournament.
Ambassador Ogawa attended this event and made a speech. In his remarks, he stated that there are at present about 1,000 Karate-ka in Rwanda. Thus, he is so glad that we were able to have this first time opportunity, and he hoped that karate will be further popularized in Rwanda.
Sports and Cultural Minister Habineza also attended and promised that the Ministry will support the Rwanda Karate Federation.
This cup will be organized annually, and the Embassy of Japan will continue to promote this Japanese traditional sport in Rwanda.
(Left: Final tournament of men’s kumite, Right: Mr. Mizutani, Karate instructor)
(Left: Final tournament of men's Kata, Right: Ambassador Ogawa giving his speech)
(Left: An awarding ceremony, Left: Women's winner team who were given a cup by Minister Habineza expressing their joy)
(Ambassador Ogawa and Sports and Cultural Minister Habineza having conversation)
(Group photograph)