IKD/GKC officially opens Headquarters at Liliendaal

Although not fully completed, the Frank Woon-A-Tai Budokan that has been constructed by the International Karate Daigaku (IKD) and the Guyana Karate College (GKC) has officially been opened on Wednesday morning.
Present to conduct the official ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Liliendaal dojo was Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips.
In his feature address, the Prime Minister highlighted the role the Budokan would play in popularising the sport of Karate in Guyana.
“The establishment of the Karate College will help to popularize the sport and serve as a base from which Karate clubs can be expanded across Guyana. I look forward to the College elevating the standard of Karate. I see the College playing a leading role in making Karate more visible and popular in Guyana, and attracting more enthusiasts. I see the College enhancing the infrastructure for Karate training by establishing more well-equipped dojos and fostering access to experienced Coaches that will ensure higher quality training for students,” the Prime Minister shared on Wednesday morning.

Prime Minister Phillips went on to emphasize the need for there to be trained instructors, an investment that can lead to the development of the sport.
The PM opined, “The loss of skilled and experienced instructors leaves a gap that hinders the sport’s growth and continuity. In this regard, the establishment of the Karate College marks a crucial step in addressing this issue. It is important that the College implements ongoing training programmes to develop a large pool of instructors, who can then go out into their communities and into the schools to teach the art of Karate.
“By investing in the continuous development of local instructors, the College can ensure that the skills and knowledge essential for Karate are effectively passed on to students,” the PM has said.

Once completed, the Budokan will sport 4 dojos, offices, instructors’ lounge, changing rooms, washrooms, and sections for spectators. There are also plans for building a dormitory on the remainder of the facility’s one-acre plot of land.
The IKD/ GKC has already invested more than $40M into the Budokan, and another $1M was being donated on Wednesday by 10th Dan Woon- A-Tai’s daughter.
The opening of the Budokan has come at a timely moment, since it coincides with the IKD’s hosting of their 4th World Cup, which would take place in Guyana this weekend.