The newly opened Guyana Karate College and International Karate Daigaku Technical Headquarters is set to serve as a central hub for expanding karate clubs across the nation. The facility, located in Liliendaal, was officially commissioned by Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips.
Founder Frank Woon-A-Tai assured that the instructors are professionally trained and dedicated to their responsibilities. He emphasized that the facility will foster upward mobility within martial arts. “This facility will be the best in the world… Already, people from India and Africa want to come here to study,” Woon-A-Tai stated.
The state-of-the-art facility includes four practice areas, washrooms, a general office, and an instructor’s lounge. Prime Minister Phillips highlighted that the new school would help popularize karate throughout Guyana. “I look forward to the college elevating the standard of karate. I see the college playing a leading role in making karate more visible and popular in Guyana and attracting more enthusiasts,” he said.
Karate promotes the principles of respect, integrity, and humility, fostering a welcoming environment where children can thrive both physically and socially. PM Phillips believes this holistic approach will help young practitioners excel in martial arts and grow into well-rounded individuals.
“We need to plan and set bold targets. We should aim to establish karate clubs in every secondary school in Guyana within the next 10 years. While this goal is challenging, it is a vision worth pursuing,” he added.
The prime minister stressed the importance of ongoing training programs to develop a large pool of instructors who can return to their communities and schools to teach karate. He noted that the sport in Guyana has faced setbacks due to the migration of skilled instructors, which hinders its growth and continuity. Developing proficient karate instructors requires years of dedicated training and practice.
To this end, the prime minister assured that the institution can count on the government’s support to ensure every young person in Guyana experiences the benefits of karate.
