By Edwin Rollon
Another world-class sporting event is set to take center stage in the country, as Manila hosts the prestigious WKF Karate One Youth League from May 14 to 17 at the iconic SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Following the much-anticipated homecoming appearance of Filipina tennis star Alex Eala in a WTA 125 tournament, it is now karate’s turn to energize local sports fans.
The Philippine Karate-do Federation (PKF) announced on Friday that more than 3,000 athletes and officials from over 100 countries will participate in the Philippine leg of the Youth League.
PKF president Richard Lim said hosting the event aligns with the government’s push to strengthen sports tourism, a program backed by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) under Chairman Patrick Gregorio.
“Magastos kung ang ating mga atleta ang bibiyahe sa abroad just to earn ranking points. Hosting also requires resources, but the benefits are greater — exposure for our athletes to world-class karate and support for the government’s tourism program,” said Lim, a former national karate champion.
“As a youth-focused international event, the WKF Karate One Youth League naturally draws families and supporters, significantly boosting both international and domestic tourism during the competition period,” he added.
Gregorio echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the economic impact of staging a junior-level world event.
“Imagine this — these are young athletes, and they come with their parents and families. If we estimate hotel stays at P5,000 per day, plus spending on food, souvenirs, and travel outside Manila, the government could easily generate at least P75 million during the four-day event,” said Gregorio, a seasoned hotelier before entering sports administration.
“So sports is not just competition — it’s business,” he added.
Also present during the announcement were Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham Tolentino, MOA Arena Senior Vice President Arnel Gonzales, and MILO Philippines Vice President Carlo Sampan. Senator Bong Go, chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, was invited but sent a representative.
Tolentino underscored the value of hosting global competitions.
“Every general assembly, I encourage sports leaders to bid for international events. The PSC is there to help. Since July, we’ve had world-class tournaments almost every month. After karate, we’ll host the Asian Cycling Championship as part of our buildup for the Asian Games this September,” Tolentino said.
Beyond its economic impact, the Youth League serves as a vital development platform for young athletes, providing world-class competition under World Karate Federation standards while promoting discipline, excellence, and international friendship.
Lim also announced that they will hold a National Championship in Tagaytay City from March 16-19 to select national team members. Karatekas who are unable to compete there may still join the Youth League if slots remain available.
A total of 34 titles across the Under-16, Under-14 and Under-12 divisions will be contested in both kata and kumite events.
