An Irish karate team has been told not to travel to Slovenia for an international competition, because of the NATO air strikes on Yugoslavia.
The Irish Shotokan Karate-Do Union is affiliated to the international federation and has successfully competed over the years at international events. The 20-strong squad representing Ireland has been warned off because of the conflict.
Ireland, now ranked number three in the world, won 18 medals at the last European Championships in Sheffield.
It was the Slovenian Karate Federation's intention to bring the top 10 karate teams in Europe together in competition. The squad, including 12 to 28-year-olds, was due to visit Slovenia from May 21st to try its skills against the best but, on the advice of the Department of Foreign Affairs, it will not be travelling.
This is a considerable blow to Irish karate enthusiasts, 60 per cent of whom are in the Munster area, all the more so because Kanazawa Hirokazu, a ninth dan in karate and possibly the most esteemed expert in the art, had agreed to coach the squad before it left for Slovenia.
The master will still fulfil his engagement but it's not the same.