600 athletes from 30 nations take part in Karate Championship

A total 600 athletes from 30 countries are expected to take part in a three-day 14th Asia Karate Championship at the Cheras Badminton Stadium from Friday.

Malaysia Karate Federation (Makaf) president Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said 31 gold medals would be contested in three categories during the championship.

He said Works Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof was scheduled to open the competition on Friday.

"Malaysia targets three gold medals this time as the athletes involved were newly trained former back-ups," he told reporters at a media conference and luncheon for the championship, here today.

He said entrance to the championship was free.

Mohd Ali said Makaf was collecting a fund of RM1.1 million to finance the championship.

He said, to date, Makaf had collected RM902,000 from individuals, private sector companies and government agencies including RM102,000 from the luncheon.