Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/919364
54 maltatoday SUNDAY 24 DECEMBER 2017 Sports KARATE SKA MALTA acquires prestigious international recognition NATIONAL Maltese Karate Association - SKA MALTA - is proud to announce its now of- ficial, International Registration as 'JKA MALTA SKA' by the JKA - Japan Karate Association Headquarters in Tokyo, the high- est Karate Authority in Japan and Worldwide. On the 2nd of December 2017, 23 SKA members travelled to Inverigo, Milan, for training at the 'International JKA Italy Gasshuku', during which event, SKA Chief Instructor Sensei Ed- ward Aquilina, was presented the official Certificate of Member- ship for 'JKA MALTA SKA', con- firming the current SKA MALTA Organisation, as JKA's New Inde- pendent Branch Representative in Malta. The JKA is the only Independ- ent Karate Entity that is both le- gally and officially recognised by the Japanese Government for the promotion of Karate. JKA MAL- TA SKA is now directly affiliated to the central governing entity of JKA Headquarters in Tokyo and is now also one of the many in- ternational branches worldwide forming the JKA World Federa- tion. SKA Black belts also under- went advanced examinations in Milan, to confirm their Interna- tionally recognised JKA Grades and Licence Qualifications in the presence of renowned Japanese Examiners. Namely, Sensei Seizo Izumiya, 7th Dan Instructor from JKA HQ in Tokyo and high-rank- ing officials from the JKA Italy technical committee amongst whom Sensei Takeshi Naito 7th Dan, JKA Italy's Chief Instructor and National Squad Coach. JKA MALTA SKA will now be an open opportu- nity for its members and other Karate Entities in Malta, to participate at International JKA events under the auspices of a prestigious World Class Organisation. For more information, kindly con- tact us through email: in fo@shotoka nma lta. com or via our Face- book Page: 'SKA MAL- TA - Shotokan Karate- Do Association'. JKA MALTA SKA will now be an open opportu- nity for its members and other Karate Entities in Malta, to participate at International JKA events OLYMPICS WADA lifts suspension of France anti-doping laboratory FR ANCE'S main anti-doping laboratory has had its suspen- sion lifted after it corrected its "deficiencies", the World Anti- Doping Agency (WADA) said on Thursday. The Paris laboratory, where disgraced American cyclist Lance Armstrong's samples were tested, was suspended on Oct. 31 after it self-reported analytical issues. WADA said it was satisfied the laboratory had corrected "non-conformities" with the international stand- ards. "We are confident that the Laboratory has corrected its deficiencies and our Laboratory Expert Group will now contin- ue to monitor the Laboratory's performance to ensure that it operates to the high standards required by WADA," WADA director general Olivier Niggli said in a statement.