Antonio Espinós, President of the World Karate Federation (WKF), recently met with Hans Sy, Chairman of the Executive Committee of SM Prime Holdings, in Manila.
The meeting, which took place during the 2024 Asian Karate Federation (AKF) Cadet, Junior & U21 Championships, was focused on exploring potential collaborations for future karate events in the Philippines.
The discussions highlighted potential partnerships between the Karate Federation of the Philippines, the Sy Group, the AKF, and the WKF to organize significant karate events, including a Karate 1-Youth League.
Attendees included Rashid Al-Ali, AKF Vice President and WKF Executive Committee Member, and Richard Lim, President of the Karate Federation of the Philippines.
After the meeting, WKF President Antonio Espinós expressed his gratitude:
“We are deeply appreciative of Mr. Hans Sy’s time and enthusiasm for the prospect of hosting major karate events in the Philippines. Karate brings numerous benefits, including promoting discipline, respect, and community engagement. We are eager to work with Mr. Sy and his team to deliver a world-class event in a country renowned for its strong karate tradition. The Philippines is a significant karate powerhouse in the region, and we see tremendous potential in this partnership.”
The meeting marks a crucial step in strengthening ties between the WKF, AKF, and key stakeholders in the Philippines.
As plans for major karate events in 2026-2027 are under review, the Philippines’ potential as a prominent host for international karate events has been significantly boosted, following the successful 2024 AKF Championships and this recent stakeholder engagement.
