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KFI Update: SET electronic system to be trialled
November 24th, 2011

In a bid to modernise and streamline the operation of competitions and events, Karate Fiji has for the first time procured the SET software platform to be initially trialled at the Karate Fiji International to be held on the 9th and 10th of next month.

Team leader for this project, Sensei Lemeki Lenoa, has been training on a wide range of options and modules available from the SET system which amongst other things, includes the following; 

• registration of athletes, officials, categories and events;
• auto creation of competition draws, with the added benefit of seeding entries;
• display an electronic scoreboard for kumite events and play-off display for kata events;
• analysis of the results of competition by clubs, medal tallies, athletes;
• ability to generate accreditation cards for athletes and officials etc;

From the group of table officials being present at competition over the past several years, two key individuals have been initially chosen to undertake training in the SET system before a wider group of individuals are introduced to the system. Josefa Savua and Lovione Powell have been undergoing training since early October on the use of the SET system, in particular, the operation of the electronic scoreboard and competition draws.

As Sensei Lemeki commented, "We've chosen these two individuals based on their commitment over the past, their availability to attend the training sessions and their ability to quickly transition from manual methods and adapt to such technology. They have not been trained and will not be utilising all aspects of the SET system for the upcoming KFI so as not to put too much pressure on them in terms of training and risk problems during the running of the competition. We have identified a gradual approach as to how their training will be conducted and it is expected that their understanding of the system will fully mature by the 2012 Nationals, at which point, we expect to have already started training a second batch of SET-capable table officials.

The SET system itself is a wonderful addition to the operation of events and the comments I've received so far highlight the efficiency of the system and how it streamlines a lof of the tasks that were manually accomplished in the past that took up considerable time and was prone to certain mistakes. Having said that, mistakes are still taking place albeit on a lesser scale but most of it has to do with the understanding of how the system works. We're expecting certain "glitches" during the upcoming KFI as is expected of any new system being used for the first time but the aim is to keep those mistakes to a minimum so that the competition is enjoyable for those participating and watching."

7th World Junior & Cadet Karate Championships: Update
October 18th, 2011

Sandip Pala from Lautoka bowed out of his event at the championship after a 6-0 loss to French athlete, J. Cabantous. His opponent, Cabantous later went on to win 3rd place in the -55kg individual male kumite event.

As Sempai Pita, assistant coach to Sensei Tony updated from Melaka;

"A very exciting WJCKC today, our lone representative Sandip Pala who gave his best, went down to a very good fighter from France....all in all we have come out of this Championship with a very positive attitude and have experienced what the World Championship has to offer and what it's all about....We thank you all very much for your continuous support. Vinaka!"

The team arrived back into the country from Hong Kong on Tuesday morning, the 18th of October.

We welcome the team back home and thank them for representing Fiji.

7th World Junior & Cadet Karate Championships
September 29th, 2011

This year will see the 7th WJCKC being held in Melaka, Malaysia from October 15th - 18th.

Fiji will be represented the 2nd time in its history at this World Junior event by lone competitor Sandip Pala from Lautoka. Sandip will be competing in the Junior Male kumite events and will be accompanied by Sempai Pita Lenoa as Sensei Lemeki Lenoa has pressing work engagements out of the country. Also meeting up Sandip and Sempai Pita in Kuala Lumpur will be Sensei Tony Hails. Mrs Makarita Lenoa will also accompany the team in her official capacity as a WKF vice-president and OKF President.

Sandip has been in training for the past couple of months managing a busy schedule which also involved weekly commutes between Lautoka and Suva to train with the national squad.

We all wish Sandip and his coaches all the very best and we'll post updates as we get to hear of them. For Facebook and Twitter feeds from Malaysia, check the updates on the sidebar to the left of this page. Updates are posted by Sempai Pita.

Sandip Pala having won Gold in his kumite event at the 2011
Australian Open Karate Championships in April

14th Pacific Games
September 10th, 2011

The 14th Pacific Games was held from August 27th - September 10th in New Caledonia. Encompassing around 4000 athletes from 22 countries who are competing in 28 sports, the Games is the "Olympics" of the South Pacific.

Of the 33 Gold medals won by Fiji, the 10-member Karate team contributed 6 of these medals. The team also bagged 5 Silver and 1 Bronze medal and every athlete that competed at the Games returned back home with at least one medal - a testament to the preparation put in by the Coaches and Manager, the sacrifice and commitment put forward by the athletes and the never-ending support put forward by hard working volunteers, friends and families that assisted in one way or another to send the team to NC.

Fiji's performance at the Games has sparked interest from our Pacific neighbors who are putting in the works to send teams to the Karate Fiji International in December.

Team Fiji Karate to the 14th Pacific Games