OSS!

Owing to the Covid restrictions in place since 2020, Mauritian Karatekas have barely been able to practice their martial art for almost 30 months since all government owned  dojos were closed.

In order to revive the practice of our martial art in Mauritius and in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan, we have invited our Chief Instructor Shihan Koichiro Okuma, 7^th Dan to travel from Tokyo to conduct seminars for kids, adults, elders, beginners and advanced students.

The objective was to promote the principle of “Karaté for All” with an emphasis on self-development (health, focus and resiliency) at Côte d’Or Multisports Centre from the 18/06 to 28/06/2022.

In December 2019, during the opening ceremony of our competition, the Minister of sports, Mr. Stephan Toussaint received the « Meiyo Shodan » certificate printed in Tokyo and signed by Shuseki Shihan Masaaki Ueki, Chief Instructor of JKA W/F on behalf of the the Honorable Pravind Kumar Jugnauth the Prime Minister of Mauritius.

It was intended thereafter in 2020 to remit the black belt to the PM in the presence of our Chief Instructor Koichiro Okuma but we had to postponed the ceremony owing to the Covid restrictions prevailing in Mauritius.

This time we were invited by the Prime Minister in his office during which the new Ambassador of Japan, his Excellency Mr. Shuichiro Kawaguchi had remitted officially a JKA Tokaido black belt crafted in Japan as a symbol of recognition to the Government of Mauritius for its support to JKA Karate in Mauritius.

Okuma Shihan took the opportunity to explain the Indo-Pacific competition cup and seminars to both the Prime Minister and the Japanese Ambassador; they were very interested in our project and promised to sponsor it.

The seminar went very well since Okuma Shihan put the emphasis on basics, kihon and kata. We have had a very good coverage on our national TV and the newspapers as well.

All members present were delighted with the training and regain high motivation to resume Karate training. The timing was very good since all Covid restrictions were lifted out on the 1^st July 2022 and Karatekas were able to continue training in their respective dojo thereafter.

In order to prepare the Indo-Pacific event, I am humbly seeking JKA HQ approval to dispatch Okuma Shihan in December for two weeks.

 

Dr. Didier Samfat
Chairman JKA Mauritius