Panam Sports and the Colombian government confirmed that the Youth Pan American Games to take place in Cali (Colombia) will be finally held in 2021. Karate is one of the disciplines included in the programme of the multi-sport event which is scheduled for September 9 to 19, 2021. The Karate competition is scheduled for September 17 to 19, 2021

The sport of Karate will be one of the 27 disciplines to be part of the first edition of the Youth Pan American Games. Over 3,500 young athletes from 41 countries are expected to compete in the anticipated multi-sport event. With the postponement of the Youth Olympic Games Dakar to 2026, “the Cali 2021 Junior Pan American Games will be the most important sports event in the world for young people in the coming years,” declared Panam Sports President, Neven Ilic.

The confirmation of the dates and the inclusion of Karate was celebrated by the Pan American Karate Federation (PKF) and its president José M. García Maañón. “This accomplishment is due to the great teamwork by the PKF and the WKF. We need, now more than ever, the cooperation of each one of the national federations as they will benefit greatly from this event,” said García Maañón.

“With the addition of Karate to the Youth Pan American Games, our sport continues being included in all the multi-sport events of the Olympic cycle. The whole Karate family is pleased with the confirmation of dates for next year as it sets a new horizon for promising karateka all over the Americas. I want to congratulate PKF President José García Maañón for this new great achievement for our sport and I encourage him to continue maintaining such close and good relationships between the PKF and Panam Sports. I am sure that Karate will make an impact next year in Cali and that we will contribute with fantastic added value to the event,” said WKF President Antonio Espinós.