The following is a letter by Terry Boyle, Chairman UKC which highlights the current sad state of affairs in Northern Ireland when it comes to recognition of sports stars, outside of soccer and GAA.

Dear Sir

I am writing to highlight the lack of support and acclaim that some of N Ireland 's world beaters get from media events such as the Belfast Telegraph Sports Awards and from the N Ireland Sports Council.

Two years ago, civil servant David Brashaw became the first person from GB to win a gold medal at the World Karate Confederation world championships in St. Petersburg Russia , when he won the Men's Senior Wado Ryu Kata division. In spite of this achievement he had to fight for the most meagre acclaim from the N Ireland Sports Council and indeed was not even invited to the Belfast Telegraph Sports awards. In October 2005, David not only successfully defended his title in Serbia , but also added the veteran's title to his collection. As an even bigger bonus for N Ireland, his team-mate, Esporta Health Club manager Cathy McAleer at the same event became the first woman from GB and Ireland to win a gold at the WKC World Championships, this time in the Ladies Senior Wado Ryu Kata division. As far as I am aware, neither of these individuals is going to this year's Belfast Telegraph Sports Awards.

Whilst I fully accept that karate is a minority sport in N. Ireland, (after association football, Gaelic games and rugby all others are anyway), there are nevertheless an estimated 50 million karate practitioners worldwide, significantly more I would suggest than, say for example Gaelic games and, other [minority] sports, I am sure experience the same daunting task when attending major events.

With the majority of our sports in N Ireland these days considered minority ones, the personal achievements of our sportspersons at World and European level in these sports, should be considered as an even greater achievement - and certainly something to be celebrated.

I would be very interested in working with the media, Sports Council and other sports groups to try and find a way of recognising more clearly the achievements of all our sports people who achieve success at the highest level. With the diversity of sports practised these days, it is important that our best sportspersons, in all sports, are supported, praised and presented to the next generation as role models for both the leadership they have shown and for the magnitude of their achievement.

I am sure you would be interested to hear from other sports on this issue.  

Terry Boyle

Chairman

Ulster Karate Council.