The Asian Karate Federation (AKF) initiated a new period in Tashkent (Uzbekistan) with the election of a new president and the composition of a new Executive Committee. WKF Vice President Nasser Alrazooqi was elected AKF President for the period 2019-2023 thus opening a new era for Karate’s governing body in Asia.  

The Asian Karate Federation (AKF) initiated a new period in Tashkent (Uzbekistan) with the election of a new president and the composition of a new Executive Committee. WKF Vice President Nasser Alrazooqi was elected AKF President for the period 2019-2023 thus opening a new era for Karate’s governing body in Asia.  

The city of Tashkent in Uzbekistan hosts the 2019 AKF Senior Karate Championships this weekend. On the eve of the 16th edition of the continental tournament, the AKF celebrated its congress where the course for a new term in the organisation was established. The momentous meeting was headed by WKF President Antonio Espinós who is also attending the anticipated competition in Tashkent. 

The AKF Congress elected Major Gen Nasser Al Sayed Abdulrazak Alrazooqi as new president of the Asian Karate Federation. Mr Alrazooqi currently holds the position of WKF Vice President and heads the national federation of the United Arab Emirates. Considered as one of the founders of the sports movement in UAE and current member of the National Olympic Committee of the Emirate nation, Mr Alrazooqi has been one of the biggest forces of Karate in Asia. Now, he has been appointed to lead the development of the Karate organisation in the continent for a four-year term. 

“I would like to congratulate Mr Alrazooqi for his election as the new AKF President. He has contributed greatly to the magnificent progress of the sport in the last years, not only in Asia but all over the world. He has also played a crucial role in all the success that our discipline has achieved over the years. I am sure that with his leadership and strong commitment, our sport will continue setting new standards of excellence. I wish him all the best at the helms of the AKF,” said WKF President Antonio Espinós. 

Following Mr Alrazooqi’s election, the newly-formed AKF Executive Committee celebrated its first meeting on Friday, with the participation of WKF President Antonio Espinós. The new composition of the decision-making body of the continental federation was presented, and the roadmap for the new period was established. 

After the critical decisions taken in the days prior to the start of the event, the AKF Senior Championships is set to begin on Friday. With WKF President Antonio Espinós overseeing the event, Asian Karate will showcase its progress during the tournament this weekend. 

“I am sure that the AKF Senior Championships will be a huge event. The great level of organisation of our competitions will be demonstrated this weekend, as well as the popularity of our sport in the region. Events like this put us in the right direction towards our big goal of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020,” said WKF President Antonio Espinós. 

(Picture: WKF President Antonio Espinós (fifth from left), new AKF President Nasser Alrazooqi (Center) and WKF General Secretary Toshihisa Nagura (fourth from left) with the rest of the new AKF leaders.