NKF to host open kickboxing tournament on tatami

The Namibian Kickboxing Federation in association with Namibia Martial Arts Academy and Swakopmund Fight Club will host an open kickboxing tournament on a tatami mat on 4 March at the Swakopmund Hotel and Entertainment Centre.

According to event organiser Jackeline Sass, the purpose of the event is to offer athletes a chance to practise their skills in preparation for the trials at the Namibia Fight Championships. \"We can expect that both clubs will be in full attendance with both junior and senior participants. Only points fighting and light contact styles will be used, along with the fight rules of the World Association of Kickboxing Organisations (WAKO),\"

WAKO is an international kickboxing organization founded in 1977, counting over 120 affiliated countries representing all five continents. WAKO is a major governing body of amateur kickboxing and is responsible for the development of kickboxing worldwide.

Sass explained that all fighters must adhere to the WAKO rules, including those of the health and safety requirements. \"Fighters must undergo a medical checkup to authorise participation. After undergoing their medical checkup, fighters can contact me to arrange their entry for the event. We expect a few matches on the day as we still await entries, and as such, we will only be able to know exactly how many fights we have closer to the date of the event,\" she said. The entry fee for participants is N$150 for both styles and N$100 for spectators.

She further encouraged the public to attend the event and support the fighters. \"I would also like to take the opportunity to announce our recent kickboxing affiliation with the Namibian National Olympic Committee. This gives the NKF the opportunity to develop athletes in kickboxing for future olympics for both the youth and seniors. We hope to send a team of kickboxers to represent Namibia at the ensuing world Olympics,\"

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