07 April 2016

South Africa to host ISKF Shoto World Cup in Cape Town

Submitted by: Kerry Botha

South Africa is to host the third International ISKF Shoto Cup from 17 to 21 August 2016 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre if the requisite funds can be raised.

The ISKF is one of world’s largest Shotokan Karate body with over 75 000 members worldwide. Representatives from over 50 countries (with 71 countries invited) are expected to attend the Cape Town event, which will showcase a South African team of over 150 members, about 50 of which will be young emerging talent.

Apart from the prestige of hosting such an event and the benefits of international competition for our local athletes, the event is expected to provide a positive boost to local tourism.  

About 2 000 visitors (including contestants, friends and family) are expected to attend the four-day event.  Many of these will be extending their stay to tour the country.

“We are extremely proud that Cape Town has been selected to host the third ISKF Shoto Cup, emphasizing once again that we are a world class city with world class facilities and affirming our position as the events capital of Africa. I wish all participants and organisers well for the tournament and extend a warm welcome to all our visitors,” said Cape Town Mayor Patricia de Lille. 

At the 2012 ISKF Shoto Cup hosted in Cebu City in the Philippines, South Africa entered the largest team of competitors, allowing younger development team athletes to be exposed to the magnitude and standard of an international tournament in preparation for 2016 and other world cup events to follow.  

South Africa won 28 medals, despite it being the first time team members were exposed to a tournament of this scale.

“As the local body representing ISKF Shoto in South Africa we are obviously keen to provide an opportunity for our team to compete at this level again.  Our target is to raise R1,5-million in order to host the event, which is highly prestigious,” said Sensei San Pillay, President and Chief Instructor of the ISKF South Africa.

Local team

The South African National Shotokan Karate Team comprises 153 members in the following age categories: age group 8-9 years: 5 children; age groups 10-11, 12-13, 14-15 and 16-17 year olds: 116 youngsters; under 21’s: 8 members and in the category 22-44 and 45 and up: 24 seniors. Being on the development team adds value to the young individuals’ lives on an emotional level, not just a physical level.

“The goal with the selected members is not necessarily with the expectation of winning medals, but rather to nurture their talent and to develop them as individuals.  Training in Karate is known for instilling confidence, self-esteem and preparing younger people for life’s challenges in the adult world,” Sensei Pillay said.

Fund raising efforts

Without the necessary funds, the ISKF World Cup event cannot be hosted. However, the ISKF South Africa has already instigated a number of rigorous fund raising initiatives and is appealing to the general public to help it reach its target by contributing small donations to this cause.

The philosophy being followed is summed up in the Vincent Van Gogh quote “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.”

Fundraising initiatives currently underway include:

- Corporate sponsorship

- Crowd-funding initiative by local World Cup participants (Each member of the South African team has an online crowd funding page through which they will appeal for donations – see https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/groups/south-african-shotokan-karate-team

Crowdfunding appeal to the international Karate community (with randomly drawn spot prizes of safaris, wine route and peninsula tours etc. up for grabs during the fundraising period). 

 This fundraising initiative will be appealing to a network of 75 000 members worldwide. This online platform allows anyone to make a donation of monetary value of their choice.

- Smaller corporate sponsorships offering promotional 3m x 3m stands at the tournament as well as self-defense training for team building exercises for R15, 000.        

 About the ISKF

The International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF), founded in September 1977, is an organization that seeks to promulgate traditional Japanese karate-do throughout the world. Shihan Teruyuki Okazaki, 10th Dan, the Chairman and the Chief Instructor of the ISKF, and Shihan Yutaka Yaguchi, 9th Dan, the Vice Chairman and the Vice Chief Instructor, were two of the original founders.  

Today, the ISKF comprises over 28 Pan American countries, and over 32 countries drawn from Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. The ISKF currently has over 75,000 individual members worldwide  and is continually growing adding new clubs and countries to its membership.  

The goal of the ISKF remains the promulgation of true Japanese Shotokan karate-do as espoused by Masters Funakoshi and Master Nakayama. The organization is dedicated to upholding the principles of Master Funakoshi: Seek Perfection of Character, Be Faithful, Endeavour, Respect Others, and Refrain from violent behavior.  

About ISKF South Africa

The ISKF South Africa, which has over 2000 members and over 22 clubs, strives to teach traditional Karate in its purest form across South Africa, basing all learned skills and disciplines on the Dojo Kun and Niju Kun accredited to Gichin Funakoshi (1868- 1957).  

ISKF South African Dojos are firm believers in teaching traditional Karate developed from a lineage dating back to the 1800’s. Karate is an individual sport that strives to achieve growth of individuals physically, emotionally and mentally.  

For more information visit : www.shotocup2016.com www.facebook.com/ISKFWorldCupSA 

Issued on behalf of ISKF South Africa 

Published in Sports Range