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Cash quandary for Dojo’s chosen three

11/12/2007

THREE schoolboys have been chosen to represent England in the world karate championships in Italy.

Nathan Chan, Jack Joliffe and Bradley Ingham Eaton, all aged eight, will be heading to Rimini in January – but only if enough money can be raised to cover the trip.

The Rochdale Dojo boys are hoping local businesses can help make their dream a reality.

The boys’ coach, Sensei Irfan Ansari, said: "To be able to send them to the world championships, at such a young age, would be phenomenal for the town.

"We have already raised enough money to send one of the boys, but we need as many people as possible to help."

The cost of the trip is expected to be in excess of £2,500.

New Start Mortgages had been funding the entry fees for the team. But its funding has run out – just as the team gears up for the world championships.

Diamond Cars have already stepped up to pay for the entry fee for the team, and owner Andrew Dawson, whose daughter attends the karate school, is appealing for local businesses to help raise the cash needed to send the team to the finals.

Mr Dawson said: "If each business donates £100 towards the trip they will be well on their way."

The team has been celebrating a run of success. Nathan, who also won a national title in July, has just been crowned the All England kata champion after a gruelling tournament in Bradford.

He was closely followed in third place by training partner Jack.

Sensei Ansari, said: "Jack should have been competing against Nathan in the final, but due to an administrative error by the table judges he ended up being awarded third place."

The boys showed even more grit when they came second in the 10 to 15 years team kata.

They are all aged eight and were the youngest team in the event. They were only allowed to compete after persuading the organisers they were worthy of the chance.

Bradley Ingham Eaton, Jack Jolliffe and Niall Lineker competed in the under nines team

fighting in which they came third.

If anyone can help support the boys’ trip to Italy they can contact Sensei Ansari directly on 07974 723365 or Diamond Cars on 0161 643 5000