Participants at the event donated the profits to an Irish children's charity ©Peace and Sport

Participants at the World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO) Irish Open International supported the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC) by agreeing to donate the profits from the event to the charity.

The competition was held in Dublin from March 2 to 5 in collaboration with Peace and Sport, who have a partnership agreement with the WAKO.

More than 4,000 athletes took part at the event in the Irish capital city.

In the last three years, the Irish Open International has generated more than €46,000 (£40,000/$49,000) for the the ISPCC, Ireland's national child protection charity.

During the event, athletes signed up to the #whitecard campaign, which is described as a symbol of commitment to peace efforts worldwide through sports by Peace and Sport.

The Irish Open International event was held in Dublin and was attended by representatives of Peace and Sport ©Peace and Sport
The Irish Open International event was held in Dublin and was attended by representatives of Peace and Sport ©Peace and Sport

It is designed to raise awareness of the issue prior to International Day of Sport for Development and Peace on April 6.

"Peace and Sport sets itself the objective to further the progress of peace through sport," Peace and Sport President and founder Joël Bouzou said.

"We are today very happy and proud to work with WAKO in this noble event and hope that many new athletes and beneficiaries will learn from kickboxing values."

WAKO and Peace and Sport will also start cooperation on other activities, such as the field programmes in Madagascar and in the Great Lakes region.

"Peace and Sport is a strategic partner with WAKO and something we believe aligns itself with our chosen charity and the unique nature of the Irish Open contributing annually to society in support of vulnerable children," Irish Open Organising Committee chairman Roy Baker said.