Speech for Ambassador_Karate Tournament

Mr. Sisira Kumara, President of the Sri Lanka Karate-Do Federation,
The Spirited participants of the Ambassador Cup Karate tournament,
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
Good morning, Ayubowan, Wanakkan and おはようございます。
I am delighted to welcome you all to the Ambassador Cup Karate Tournament organized jointly by the Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka Karate-Do Federation. I would particularly like to extend my sincere thanks to Mr. Sisira Kumara, President of the Sri Lanka Karate-Do Federation and his team for their sincere efforts in liaising with the different clubs to make this tournament possible.
A martial art originated in Japan, “Karate” is universal vocabulary with approximately 2 million practitioners in Japan with more than 130 million worldwide.  In fact, it gives me great pleasure to learn that the Karate population in Sri Lanka figures no less than half a million to be qualified as the second most popular sport in this country, exceeded by cricket alone. Thanks to relentless efforts by the Sri Lanka Karate-Do Federation, Karate is also popular amongst school children in both rural and urban settings in this island nation. With ever expanding Karate population worldwide and its merit for personal and professional development, it gives me great pride to learn that Karate for the very first time is listed as an official sport at this year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games which will be held in Tokyo this summer.  This would motivate Karate practitioners to dream higher, to compete in the world stage one day.
Without further ado, I wish the players all success in this Ambassador Cup and eagerly look forward to watching their exuberant performance.