Naha, Okinawa, Japan from August 21 to 25 in an event marking the opening of the new Okinawa Prefecture Hall of Martial Arts.

Departing this weekend, the Bermuda Karate Organisation (BKO) team includes coach Skipper Ingham, assistant coach Kent Simmons, team manager Kristina Ingham and competitors Zenji Ingham, Shaun Dill, Carlo Hizon, Corinne Bonga, Kelly Exell, Gilbert Darrell, Colin Rayner, Geoffrey Rothwell and David Reid.

Shomeiko Ingham, a member of last year's BKO team in Canada, will also be accompanying the group.

BKO was designated as the Bermuda representative for this event by Chuck Merriman, North American representative of the Okinawan Referees Council, last summer, when he held a seminar in Bermuda to certify potential team members as qualified to compete.

The Okinawa Karate and Kobudo World Tournament is limited to Okinawan styles of karate and kobudo.

The group are scheduled to return to Bermuda on August 28 when they will immediately begin preparations for the WKO Panamerican Karate Championships to be hosted from November 20 to 23 at Bermuda College by BKO and the Bermuda Karate Institute.

Invitations to this event have been sent to all members of the World Karate Organisation and already participation has been confirmed by the USA, Brazil and Canada.

Competitors who have medalled in local competition are eligible and should contact coordinator Kristina Ingham at 292-2157 for details.