Thursday, November 5 2009

TRINIDAD and Tobago is on track to stage the first Caribbean Amateur Fighting Championship (CAFC) from August 16 to August 22 next year.

At least 29 countries of the Caribbean would be competing for titles accredited by the International Kickboxing Federation (IKF) , International Sport Combat Federation (ISCF) , The United States Kickboxing Association (USKBA) and The United States Heads of Family Martial Arts Association (USHOFMAA).

The categories for competition are Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), San Shou and Kickboxing for the ages 15 to 17 and 18 to 35 for both male and female in eight different weight categories.

The event is organised by the CKGSF and its international partners to provide all the Caribbean countries with the privilege of competing for world class titles.

The championship is open to amateur martial artists with a competitive spirit from any school, organisation or club. The CKGSF believes that it is the right time to host such an event as local athletes in the sport have shown tremendous talent and potential to compete in the international arena.

The CAFC’s intention is not only to facilitate this championship but to establish a permanent competitive arena that breeds world class athletes with the capabilities of climbing to the ranks of K1, UFC and Strike Force fighters.

A carefully selected group has been chosen to provide free training to all local athletes wanting to compete. These sessions will be held weekly until the scheduled date of August 16, 2010 when the well anticipated championship will commence. The facilitators of the training sessions will be Ashton Antoine, (former national boxer) and other top martial artists such as Master Vishnu Ramkilawan, Master Shane Dyer, Master Prakesh Rampersad and Prof. Davanand D-Samaroo.

Additionally, IKF representatives and Dr Joseph Cooper, two-time World Kickboxing Champion are scheduled to train and certify local referees and judges starting in January.

There will be eight qualifiers for the event, from which 27 nationals would be chosen to represent Trinidad and Tobago for the 2010 CAFC. The first would be held at the Southern Regional Indoor Sport Arena, Pleasantville, San-Fernando on Saturday November 14 at 7 pm and thereafter monthly, until July 31, 2010.

There are no fees associated with participating in any of the qualifying events. For more information contact 461-6406, 222-1828, 462-1869 or 343-4648.

Competitors for the night:

Timothy Ramkilawan , Dale Maharaj, Rajiv Ramdbin, Owen Jowaheer, Shawn Lalla, Keslen Vialva, Christopher Young, Stefan Sankar, Kevin Mangroo, Reuel Gooptar, Colin Gordon, Kevon Ramroop, Shawn Sankar, Richard Ramdial, Paul Ramroop, Prince A Tutankhamun, Bernard Harewood, Rodney Sukbirsingh, Riad Ramadhin, Keaton Abhira.