RIYADH — Karate’s exclusion from the Paris 2024 Olympic program has been heavily criticized by the various Filipino Karate Clubs and Associations here in Riyadh after being left out of the list of four additional sports for the Games report this month.

One of the Filipino Karate Clubs in Saudi Arabia known as PJKA (Philippine Japan Karate Association) Secretary General Abdullah Sultan, expressed disappointment over the decision of the Paris 2024 Olympic Committee. “This is very upsetting. Can you imagine if karate is only included in Tokyo 2020 Olympic for the first and could be the last time.

“Karate is a growing sport, it is currently practiced worldwide by an estimated 130 million karate lovers more than the total population of Japan,” said Sultan.

France is one of the strongest countries in karate, and it has produced many international stars including world champion Sandy Scordo.

“We hope karate be included in Paris 2024 Games. Karate, which is to make its Olympic debut in Tokyo 2020, was absent from the list recommended for the Paris 2024 Summer Games, which included surfing, skateboarding, sport climbing and breakdancing. This is sad.”

PJKA is one of the oldest Karate Club Associations in the Kingdom, founded by Lito De Torres in late 1989 in Riyadh. “We practiced and taught karate for about 30 years and many karate students have gained from us,” Torres said. “The exclusion of this beautiful sport is very disappointing.” — SG