13 karatekas from Aruchal for Commonwealth

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITAGAR, Sept 5: Karate Association of India (KAI) has selected 13 players from Aruchal Pradesh, highest among the North East sates, to represent the country at 8th Commonwealth Karate Championship to be held in New Delhi from September 18.

They have been selected on the basis of their performance in the tiol Karate Championship-2015 conducted by KAI at New Delhi in May this year, official sources said here today.

Apart from it, 18 players in sub-junior category from the state will attend the qualification trial for the Commonwealth Championship. The qualified players will be allowed to take part in the Championship in the newly introduced sub-junior category.

The selected players (men) are bam Radhe, Mojum Dodum, Kamku Tallo, Yorjum Sera, Raja Yangfo, Tade Bayer, Biplob Devth, Sinne Mikhu, P Nobin Jomoh,; (women) Niamun Mara, Mim Tekseng, Yoisi Tausik, Johny Mangkhiya. All of them will take part in Kumite (fight). Nobin Jamoh has been selected on the basis of his medal winning performance in the previous Commonwealth Championship in Cada.

KAI has also appointed Aruchal Karate Association Technical director Shihan S Deben Sharma and General Secretary Sensei L Marik as the coaches of the Indian team.

Sharma, who is currently serving in the Sports Department as Karate coach, was recently awarded Black Belt 6 DAN in Japan. He also is a World karate Federation (WKF) accredited coach.

Marik, Grade-A judge and Black Belt 5 DAN awarded by WKF, is currently serving as Sub Inspector in the Police Department. He is one of few karate officials working tirelessly under the guidance of AKA President Likha Tara for promotion and development of the sport in the state since last 28 years, the sources added.