Over 578 players have confirmed their participation in the 12th edition of the Mombasa Open Tong-IL Moo-Do International Martial Arts Championship 2024 slated for December 11-24 at Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa.
This is the highest number in the history of the tournament that will feature 328 foreign participants from 35 countries. Kenya will be represented by 250 participants with team Jasiri having 120 players.
Despite the cancellation of the event in August due to financial constraints, the World Tong IL- Moo- Do Federation president Grand Master Takamitsu Hoshiko has shown faith and support to ensure next month’s event takes place.
Hoshiko has been supportive and his efforts to marshal the countries to the event demonstrate that the world body recognizes Kenya’s strides to popularise the game in the country and Africa.
On his part, Kenya’s Tong IL- Moo- Do president Clarence Mwakio said the huge turnout shows that the credibility of the championship is regarded highly by the world body.
“Kenya is a powerhouse in Tong-IL Moo-Do and hosting such a world class event elevates the country's status,” Mwakio said.
Mwakio urged President William Ruto and Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to intervene in sponsorship and facilitate the national team Jasiri with the hosting funds.
“The championship is among the few international events that are hosted in Kenya this year and it’s of significance for the government to boost the morale of the players,” he said.
“For the last four months, team Jasiri has continued with training in readiness for the event that they have won for the last 11 years of the championship,” he added.
Mwakio said he is optimistic the government will come to the rescue of the tournament which was initially supposed to be held in August.
In this year’s championship, new teams are participating among them Sao Tome and Principe, Vanuatu, Lithuania, Uganda among others.
Kenya retained the overall title for the 11th year running last year after garnering a massive 191 medals (46 gold, 42 silver and 93 bronze).