UNIVERSITY of Limerick will host the Japan Karate Association (JKA) Global Championships next year from August 17 to 20.
The original and largest organisation for Karate in the world, the JKA event will attract between 1,000 and 1,500 visitors. Up to 4,000 spectators are also expected to support competitors for a period of up to 10 days around the event.
The Championships began 35 years ago and only take place every three years with every second series hosted in Japan. According to JKA Ireland’s head instructor Noel Casey, it is a great honour for Ireland to attract such a major international event and it was down to the support provided by the Shannon Region Sports and Convention Bureau and Fáilte Ireland that they secured it for Limerick.
Competitors alone will spend just under €1 million but with large numbers of family, friends and spectators accompanying them, the expectation is that this event could deliver an added economic boost of up to €2.5 million for the region.
According to UL events marketing manager Gillian Costelloe, the championships offers a fantastic opportunity to showcase the world-class sporting infrastructure at the university’s conference and sports campus.
“The collaboration of Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau with Event Ireland contributed greatly to winning this event for Limerick,” she said.
Further details at http://jka.or.jp/en/
by Alan Jacques
