BKA President Julian Rolle hopes that The bahamas could one day return to prominence in the sporting of discipline of karate. He was instrumental in getting the Bahamas Karate Association (BKA) to join the World United Karate Organization (WUKO)

In an effort to raise the awareness level of the sport of karate in the country, the Bahamas Karate Association (BKA) has joined the World United Karate Organization (WUKO) and looks to host several seminars on the benefits of joining the sport, over the next few months.

BKA President Julian Rolle said he hopes that The Bahamas could one day return to prominence in the sport, similar to the times when his father, the late Basil Rolle, was active in karate. Basil Rolle was known to many locally as the "Father of karate in The Bahamas", and was an original member of the famous Tong Dojo in New York.

"I feel that the sport has definitely been overlooked over the last several years," said Julian Rolle.

"We used to be one of the best in the region, even in kickboxing we were good. We used to go and compete abroad and beat teams from not only the Caribbean, but also teams from the United States and Asia as well. I feel that we have to get back to that level, especially since karate is making its way to the Olympics very shortly. We have to get some athletes ready from now to be able to compete with the rest of the world."

The BKA is also one of the groups bidding to host the 4th Caribbean Cup Karate Championships in November. Also, later on in the year, the BKA will stage a multi-style seminar with top instructors from the Pan American region. A specific date and venue for the seminar is yet to be named.

WUKO is the oldest global karate organization in the world and clubs interested in joining WUKO Bahamas are asked to call the association at (242) 467-5590 or send an e-mail to bronztiger@outlook.com.Karate is one of five sports vying for insertion into the Olympic program in 2020.

In December 2014, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) nixed the 28-sport limit, and instead set a cap of 10,500 athletes and 310 medal events at the Summer Games. In September of 2015, the Tokyo organizing committee proposed five additional sports for inclusion in the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo, Japan - karate, sports climbing, surfing, skateboarding and, under a combined bid, baseball and softball.

Randy Smith

Guardian Sports

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