Karate 1-Youth League Fujairah attracts participation of over 2,300 athletes

The UAE Karate Federation has unveiled details of the upcoming Karate 1-Youth League, set to take place at the Zayed Sports Complex in Fujairah from February 20 to 23.

The event will feature participation from over 2,300 male and female athletes representing 87 countries from various continents. The number of total participants, including athletes, coaches, referees, and official delegations, is expected to reach 4,000.

The announcement was made during a press conference held at Umbrella Beach in Fujairah, attended by Rashid Abdul Majeed Al Ali, Vice President of both the UAE and Asian Karate Federations, Executive Board Member of the World Karate Federation, and Deputy Chairman of the tournament’s Supreme Organizing Committee.

Also present were Engineer Humaid Shamis, Secretary General of both Arab and UAE Karate Federations, and Tournament Director, along with Dr. Abdullah Al Badi, Assistant Secretary General of the UAE Karate Federation and General Coordinator of the tournament.

Majeed welcomed the attendees and expressed gratitude to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, for his unwavering support of the championship, describing it as the first key to the event’s success.

He highlighted that one of the biggest achievements was relocating the refereeing course from Spain to the UAE, which he regarded as a significant milestone.

He also mentioned that more surprises are expected in the coming days. Furthermore, he emphasized the vital role played by Major General (Ret.) Nasser Abdul Razzaq Al Razooqi, President of both the UAE and Asian Karate Federations and Vice President of the World Karate Federation.

His leadership and strong relationships within the global karate community have greatly contributed to the success of the event.

For his part, Shamis stated that the UAE Karate Federation has successfully transformed Fujairah into the capital of martial arts over the past two years.

He expressed confidence that, through collective efforts, this edition would be exceptional. He revealed that as of the press conference, 2,305 athletes from 87 countries had registered—a record-breaking number expected to increase due to the late registration system allowing entries until the tournament's launch.

He further elaborated on the referee and coaching participation, stating that 254 referees from 54 countries had applied for international certification in "Kumite," held on the sidelines of the global event. Additionally, 197 referees from 50 countries had applied for certification in "Kata."

The tournament will feature 173 international referees from 61 countries. A total of 137 coaches from 62 organizations have applied for certified coach status, while 363 accredited coaches from 242 organizations will participate. The number of official delegations has reached 37 representatives from 26 countries, and the championship will include competitions across 46 categories.

Dr. Abdullah Al Badi, the tournament's General Coordinator, stated that all arrangements for the opening ceremony have been finalized, ensuring a spectacle worthy of the event. He hinted at several surprises during the ceremony and highlighted the significant buzz the championship has generated throughout Fujairah in recent days. Al Badi also noted that the presence of Skydive Dubai at the press conference was an important community engagement initiative—a first of its kind—originating from the Federation’s Board of Directors, which is working tirelessly to deliver a world-class tournament that reflects the UAE’s capabilities in hosting global sporting events on the eastern coast.

Several members of the UAE national karate team also spoke about their preparations for the championship and their readiness for the highly anticipated competitions starting on February 20. Ahmed Salem Baslaib, Director of National Teams, confirmed that all athletes were prepared for the event. He emphasized that the Karate 1 Youth League is a qualifying event for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics and serves as an important opportunity to assess the technical levels of the competitors.

The press conference also featured an exhilarating performance by the Skydive Dubai team, which captivated the audience. Additionally, the official tournament mascot, the falcon "Barq," was officially introduced.