KARATE - RI TO FIGHT FOR KARATE'S INCLUSION IN OLYMPICS

Jakarta, Jan 16 (ANTARA) - National Sports Council (KONI) Chairwoman Rita Subowo said Indonesia will fight for the inclusion of karate as a competition number in the international Olympics as it was known as a martial arts branch throughout the world.

"After Rio de Janeiro in 2016, we will strive to have Karate recognized as a number in the Olympics," Subowo said after opening the 13th congress of the Indonesian Karate-Do Federation (PB Forki) at the KONI building here Saturday.

According to Subowo, Karate deserved to be a competition event in international sporting events like the Olympics because similar martial arts branches were also part of the Olympic Games.

"Taekwondo and Wushu are compettion events in the Olympic Games, why can't Karate which is better known in the international arena enter the Olympics," she said.

Subowo said Indonesia was keen on getting Karate included in the international event because Indonesia had made promising achievements in the Japanese martial arts branch.

"We believe the quality of Indonesian karate athletes can be better developed if they know that karate is a competition number in the Olympics," she added.

Through continuous lobbying with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and with the support of other countries with similar interest, Subowo said, she was optimistic Indonesia's aspiration would eventually be fulfilled.