Turkey Bars Syrian National Team from Participating in Shotokan Championship

The Syrian national karate team was barred from participating in the World Shotokan Championship currently being held in Turkey, despite the fact that the team was invited to participate by the Turkish Karate Federation and the World Shotokan Karate Union.

Chairman of the Syrian Karate Federation, Jihad Miya, said that upon arrival in Turkey, the Syrian team was shocked to learn that it was barred from the championship, while a Turkish team flying the French mandate flag was participating in Syria’s name.

Miya stressed that this act is a clear violation of sporting values and spirit and a breach of sporting and Olympic laws and regulations, adding that this falls in line with the hostile practices of the Turkish government and constitutes a farce meant to be exploited by biased media channels.