ACL Sports can authoritatively confirm that Nigeria Karatekas are sure of competing at the 2017 Africa Cadet and Junior Championships in Benin Republic.
The President Karate Federation of Nigeria (KFN), Hon Silas Agara who gave the hint in Abuja said only inform athletes will be invited to camp which resumes today (1st of August).
The Cadet, Juniors and U21Union of African Karate Federation Zone 3 Karate Championship will hold from 6th to 13th August, 2017 in Cotonou.
ACL Sports gathered that the President is willing to sponsor three Karatekas while other board members have offered help in ensuring that more Nigerian Karatekas partake in the open championship.
Agara who doubles as the deputy governor of Nasarawa state said under his leadership, Karate must surpass records set by his predecessors.
After the swearing in, I and other board members met and we resolved that Karate in Nigeria must move to the next level”, he said.
Nigeria will be in Benin Republic. The tournament will encourage athletes to gain confidence and also help them attain the peak of their career” Agara noted.
He revealed that aggressive machineries are already in place for Nigeria to be amongst the first countries that will feature in the main Karate event at the 2020 Olympics Games in Tokyo.
One of our tasks is to see that Karate is at the Olympics with quality representatives there. I’m optimistic this task will see the light of the day. National events will take place, and we’ll do everything humanly possible for the star athletes to compete at events where points are gathered
ACL Sports also gathered that gold medalist at the 2016 National Youth Games in ilorin have been selected to feature in the Championship.
The new rule of the International Karate Federation states that “Any athletes who participates in any international tournaments will be ineligible to fight at National age grade events (Youth Games) in their respective countries.
Meanwhile, the Technical Representative KFN, Dave Jegede told our correspondent that the President has indicated interest to upgrade Referees into officiating in the Africa continent.
First and foremost, the Board (President) is sponsoring our National Grade “A” Referees to take examinations and be upgraded into the African level, he said.
