The first batch of two national teams arrived in Mombasa on Sunday ahead of the much anticipated Mombasa international Tong IL Moo Do championship.
The teams drawn from Thailand National team and Turkey landed at the Moi International airport in Mombasa Sunday morning and will be part of 20 countries in Asia, Europe and Africa that will take part in the competition to kick off in Dec 18and 19at the Agha Khan hall.
The Philippines team which comprised of 11 players and six officials is expected to provide a fierce challenge to the Kenyan national team, Jasiri which has been winning since the championship was inagurated eight years ago.
Speaking after landing at the airport,World Tong-IL Moo Do vice president Dr Venus Augustine, alongside Turkey Tong IL Moo Do federation president thanked the Kenyan government for continuing to promote the sport.
"Am very happy to be here in Kenya and also happy to see Kenya promoting this sport,it's very important for players and officials to play in a environment that is protected so we are happy for what Kenya is doing for us," said Agustine.
On his part Kenya Tong IL Moo Do federation president Master Clarence Mwakio said they expect a stiff competition from the Philipiness team.
“We expect a stiff competition from the Philippines which has been our usual rivals as well as Iran which is endowed with talented players,” Mwakio said.
Mwakio also noted that the Kenyan team, Jasiri which will be gearing to defend its title with a 50-members squad is currently in a good state.
"Kenyan team is in good form,the coach has confirmed to me that no injuries and they are ready to face the challenge,"said Mwakio.
The squad is currently BB undergoing indoor training before they join other teams from the rest of the world in indoor A reasonable number of countries, according to the president, have responded positively, Covid-19 crisis notwithstanding.
According to Mwakio, Turkey is expected to field more players this year after presenting a limited squad in last year’s tournament.
“We expect a stiff competition from the Philippines which has been our usual rivals as well as Iran which is endowed with talented players,” Mwakio said.
He noted that the tournament has received immense support from the government as well as from the leadership of World Tong Il Moo Do Federation.
The founder of Tong-IL Moo-Do, great grand master Joon Ho Seuk and the federation’s President Grandmaster Takamistu Hoshiko are all expected to grace the tournament.
President of Turkey Tong-IL Moo-Do Federation, Amin Ghorbani who arrived with the Philippines team said they will be inviting Kenya to participate in an international event they intend to organise in few months to come
“We’re in the process of organising an international event in Istanbul, Turkey in the next five months which many countries will be invited including Kenya,” said Ghorbani.
