Press Release (September 3 rd , 2008)
By Heather Donald
On August 23 rd and 30 th the South African Amateur Kickboxing Association (SAAKA) and the Council of Amateur Sport Kickboxing (CASK) participated in an international team competition in Pretoria, South Africa.SAAKA and CASK are the officially recognized amateur kickboxing associations for South Africa and Canada.Both have worked collaboratively over the past five years organizing team events between the two countries.
The Canadian delegation was lead by Muzammal Nawaz and Dr. Gus Kandilias, members of the CASK National Board.Both events were organized by Pat Carney and Shorne Moorcroft, Chair/Vice Chair of SAAKA.
There were 17 bouts on both dates in the disciplines of full contact, kickboxing, K1, and light contact.Both competitions drew thousands of spectators and were also taped for later national and international broadcast in Africa.The events boosted the profile of WAKO kickboxing in both countries.
This team event also served as a warm up for the WAKO World Junior Championships to be held in Naples later in September.Both teams fielded junior and cadet athletes from their respective national teams at these two competitions.South Africa and Canada are sending large teams to the 2008 WAKO Championships.
‘These events are a wonderful way amateur sport can bring athletes together in the spirit of healthy competition and international friendship.Our young athletes also gain valuable competitive experience which will serve them well at the World Championships in Italy,’ stated Muzammal Nawaz CASK President.
