On the occasion of the International Karate Championship held in EREVAN on the 27th-28th of September, the AFFA-ADIBEKYAN FAMILY FOUNDATION FOR ADVANCEMENT, General Sponsor of the 10th EREVAN OPEN, is contributing to the promotion of karate in Armenia and throughout the world.
Karate is a Japanese martial art that was developed by Master Gishin Funakoshi in 1922. The term "Shotokan" comes from Master Funakoshi's first dojo and means "the pines that rustle in the wind".
More than a fighting technique, karate is a mental discipline, physical exercise, and self-defence that relies primarily on the use of hands and feet with the intention of controlling an opponent.
Shotokan karate is more than just a physical activity. It is a philosophy that is reflected in the tradition of various rules that karatekas must apply on a daily basis.
It is within this tradition that the Armenian Karate Confederation and the National Karate Federation have carried forward this beautiful initiative of international competition never seen before in Armenia.
In Erevan, on the 27th of September, the opening ceremony began with an Armenian dance group "Tansevaln Group" - in the presence of many personalities, deputies of the National Assembly, and the Masis Development Fund.
This tournament was attended by Armenian and international sportsmen - Iraq, Iran, Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, India, UAE (United Arab Emirates).
On September 28th, the Boulevard de la Francophonie in MASIS welcomed the athletes of the 10th EREVAN OPEN International Championship for the inauguration of the 1st MASIS OPEN, which was followed by a seminar organized by the AFFA Foundation.
Fostering sports values for a healthy lifestyle in Masis, Armenia is the challenge that the AFFA Foundation has set itself.
Thanks to the sponsorship committed by AFFA for this Championship, a new milestone has been reached: MASIS is recognized worldwide as the International Sports Centre of Excellence.
