Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/589122
22 maltatoday, Wednesday, 21 OctOber 2015 Sport Karate A total of 24 athletes participated in two different Karate competi- tions on the 10th and 11th October, one of which was held in Poland – Polish Open IX International Karate Grand Prix and the other in Cyprus - Small States of Europe Ka- rate Championship, with the Mal- tese Athletes obtaining 25 medals in all. 4 Gold, 3 Silver, 10 Bronze for our Team in Cyprus Over 150 athletes from Monaco, San Marino, Luxembourg, Cyprus and Malta took part in the 2nd edition of the Small States Karate Championships in Cyprus – Nico- sia on the 10th October. "This is a very high level competi- tion where elite athletes are select- ed to represent their country and participate in the two different ar- eas of Competitive Karate, namely Kata (forms) and Kumite (sparring). Our athletes have trained hard showing once again, a high level of determination and commitment on their part, their parents and our Senseis who dedicate a lot of their time towards these events". Christine Micallef as Head of Del- egation, Sensei James Galea Black Belt 6th Dan and MKF Technical Director, Sensei Frank Vella and Sensei Tyler Tanti accompanied the Malta Team to Cyprus. We take pride in our Sensei Kim Stanton who gave a stunning performance obtaining Silver in the Female Kata Category. "The Malta Karate Federation strives to continually provide train- ing opportunities both locally and abroad to give the best possible preparation to our athletes, a con- tributing factor to the very reward- ing results achieved." These were the comments of Mr Kenneth Abe- la, MKF President. 2 Gold, 1 Silver, 5 Bronze for our Team in Poland Sensei Joe Tanti MKF National Kata Coach, Sensei Josef Antonelli, Sensei Sue Zammit and Sensei An- thony Zammit - Black Belt 6th Dan and WKF certified World Referee accompanied the athletes to Po- land. "We must congratulate our ath- letes who gave a great perform- ance, the results of which are very encouraging. Congratulations also go to Sensei Anthony Zammit who participated in Masters Class and achieved Gold. The level of Polish Open IX International Karate Grand Prix was very high indeed and the results obtained are well deserved for the hard work of all involved. We are seeing a constant improvement in the level of Karate of our athletes and this augurs well for the future." Mr Kenneth Abela, President of the Malta Karate Federation con- cluded by thanking Kunsill Malti Ghall-Isport and Maltese Olympic Committee for their constant sup- port. Luke Galea a truly eventful weekend for the Malta Karate Federation The Malta team in Cyprus The Malta team in Poland Football Sterling should still be a Red - Agent RAHEEM Sterling should still be a Liverpool player, according to his agent. The winger left Anfield in the summer to join Manchester City and the smooth transition he has made belies the acrimonious na- ture of his departure from the club he joined as a 15-year-old. Aidy Ward, Sterling's agent, has pinned the blame for the break- down of their relationship with Liverpool at the door of former boss Brendan Rodgers. "I have no issue with anyone but Rodgers," Ward told the Daily Mail. "He had a massive job with mas- sive funds. How did he do? Good coach, but as a manager I didn't like certain things about how he dealt with Raheem. "Fifty percent of the players would probably tell you Brendan is not a good manager, but he is a good coach. "Raheem could've stayed, he should be at Liverpool. I think for me it was like he was being told to be a good boy and sign a contract. "In December I spoke to Liver- pool and said we'll sign a contract if there is a buy-out clause - those clauses are now common practice. They said no to that. "Then there were remarks. In press conferences, Brendan told everyone Raheem would sign - why do that? "I knew, Brendan knew and Liv- erpool knew there was an issue. Right now he probably should be a Liverpool player, but he's not and he's in a great place at City." Sterling appears to be a natural fit at top-of-the-table City, scor- ing five goals so far, including a hat-trick against Bournemouth on Saturday. On the same day, Jurgen Klopp made his debut as Liverpool boss following Rodgers' sacking a fort- night earlier. Ward is a big fan of the German and expresses a certain regret that Sterling did not get to play under him. He said: "The new Liverpool manager probably would have been a great fit for Raheem - passion- ate, disciplined in the right way, new ideas, not afraid of trying new things. He'll do great at Liverpool. "He's going to get the best out of those players. It could have been a dream come true." Raheem Sterling's agent feels he still should be at Anfield