Egypt accelerates preparations for the ITKF World Championship 2026 and strengthens its global leadership in Traditional Karate

With the support of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the ITKF World Championship 2026 is expected to bring together more than 40 countries and approximately 2,000 participants, including athletes, coaches, officials, and support staff, at Cairo International Stadium.

By Paulo Pinto / Global Sports
Curitiba / Brazil, May 30, 2026

Preparations for the ITKF World Championship 2026 received a significant boost following a meeting between Egypt’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr. Gohar Nabil, and the leadership of the Egyptian Traditional Karate Federation, headed by Dr. Ramy El-Makkawi.

The meeting reaffirmed the Egyptian government’s institutional support for the premier event on the international Traditional Karate calendar. Hosting the championship represents another important step in the country’s strategy to strengthen its position as a leading destination for major international sporting events.

During the discussions, officials reviewed the progress of the championship’s planning process, the preparation programs for the national teams, and the initiatives undertaken by the Egyptian Traditional Karate Federation to further develop the discipline throughout the country. Technical, administrative, and operational aspects of the event were also addressed as part of a collaborative effort involving the federation, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Local Organizing Committee (LOC).

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to the World Championship, Minister Gohar Nabil emphasized Egypt’s proven ability to host large-scale sporting events. He highlighted the quality of the sports infrastructure developed in recent years and the experience the country has gained through the successful organization of continental and international competitions across multiple sports.

Working meeting between officials of the Egyptian Traditional Karate Federation and Egypt’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr. Gohar Nabil. In addition to those appearing in the previous image, Dr. Mohamed El-Kordi and Dr. Abd El Awal are also present © Egyptian Traditional Karate Federation (EKTF)

According to the minister, the investments made by the state have positioned Egypt among the leading sports destinations in both the region and the African continent. This standing has been reinforced by the country’s stability and its successful track record in staging international championships in various disciplines.

The confidence demonstrated by international sports leaders also reflects the current strength of Egyptian Traditional Karate. As the reigning world champion since the championship held in Portugal in 2023, Egypt enters the ITKF World Championship 2026 cycle as one of the sport’s leading nations, both technically and institutionally.

In addition to the World Championship competitions, the event program will feature a series of internationally significant activities, including the International Master Course, the Youth World Cup, the Club World Cup, and several other initiatives aimed at technical development and the integration of the global Traditional Karate community.

ITKF General Assembly

Another historic milestone scheduled during the event will be the hosting of the International Traditional Karate Federation (ITKF) General Assembly in Egypt for the first time. The meeting will bring together representatives from numerous countries for the election of the federation’s new president, as well as the continental leadership of Africa, Asia, and the Americas, transforming Cairo into the principal decision-making center of the Traditional Karate world throughout the championship period.

The combination of high-level sporting competition and major institutional gatherings reinforces expectations that the ITKF World Championship 2026 will become one of the most significant editions in the history of the discipline, further consolidating Egypt’s role as a global reference in the promotion and development of Traditional Karate.

Participants

Joining Minister Gohar Nabil and Egyptian Traditional Karate Federation President Dr. Ramy El-Makkawi at the meeting were Sensei Aziz Hassan, Dr. Ahmed Hassona, Dr. Amal Farouk, G. Gamal El-Tahlawy, Mr. Aly Sobhy, Sensei Fawzy, Dr. Mohamed El-Kordi, and Dr. Abd El Awal, further demonstrating the strong alignment between the government, the federation, and the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) in preparation for the ITKF World Championship 2026.