THE Philippine Karatedo Federation (PKF) announced that the Philippine team is set to join the Asian Karatedo Championships in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates in August as part of its preparation for the Southeast Asian Games in Myanmar in December.

PKF Secretary General Raymund Lee Reyes said that besides the Dubai meet; the PKF will also host a series of local tournaments nationwide.

The PKF is the host of the Southeast Asian Karatedo Championship on April 17 to 21 in Clark Freeport Zone in Angeles, Pampanga as part of their preparation in the 2013 Southeast Asian Games.

“We will use the competition not only as part of our national team tryouts but also to scout our opposition at the Myanmar SEA Games,” said Reyes during the Philippine Sportswriters Association’s forum on Tuesday in Malate, Manila.

“Our karate athletes have successfully brought home various medals including gold in previous overseas tourneys, so we are very optimistic this year,” he added.

Expected to see action in the competition are 200 athletes from the 11 member countries of SEA Karatedo Federation.

Reyes added that the national team is bound to travel in Iran this month for intensive training.