Shotokan Karate-do International Federation (SKIF) in association with its affiliate Shotokan Karate-do International South Africa (SKISA) conferred an International Commendation Award on Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, Founder of the Gift of the Givers Foundation, for his outstanding contribution to mankind and the promotion of sport amongst all South Africans.

The prestigious award was made to Dr Sooliman at the SKISA Team South Africa 2009 Dinner Banquet, attended by VIP Guests the MEC for Sports & Recreation (KZN) Mr A. Rajbansi, Deputy Speaker of the KZN Legislature, Prof LGB Ndabandaba, the Deputy Mayor, Cllr Logie Naidoo, and Edison Corporation MD, Mr Vivian Reddy. The Chief Guest of Honour at the banquet was Japanese Karate Maestro Manabu Murakami Sensei, a two-time world champion.

President of SKISA, Kyoshi Sonny Pillay, paid glowing tribute to Dr Sooliman for his outstanding humanitarian work amongst the previously disadvantaged and underprivileged communities of South Africa, apart from his social responsibility projects around the globe. Kyoshi Pillay said that SKISA intends to partner Gift of the Givers in future social upliftment programmes incorporating karate.

“The Gift of the Givers sponsorship of floor mats for the International Kanazawa Cup 2009 ensured that all participants were safe from injury during Kumite (fighting) matches, resulting in the participants giving off their best without fear of injury. The generosity of GOTG, in providing the sponsorship, ensures SKISA's members enjoy training and participating on a surface of an international standard,” said Mr Pillay.