The 9th Zainab Saleh International Female Karate Championship is scheduled for 2nd to 5th November 2023 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos, according to its Founder, Hajiya Zainab Saleh.
Saleh told www.aclsports.com that the championship has contributed to the rapid growth of Karate among women in the national team.
The International referee revealed that family and friends have been behind the success as well as consistency in the organisation of the championship.
She said, “Preparations are ongoing for the 9th edition of Zainab Saleh International Female Open Karate Championship. It has not been easy but the determination to keep young girls out of the streets has kept me going.
“The championship has definitely contributed to the growth of women’s karate in Nigeria because quite a few of our female athletes have been selected for Nigeria’s National Team through this event not to mention one of its participants, an athlete from Benin Republic, who has been a competitor of this Championship from inception has competed at the World level.
“I am also proud to say that for every year this event takes place, I see the level of improvement in the technical skills of our athletes. Well done to all the girls who have made it so far”.
Commenting on the consistency of the championship, Zainab Saleh said, “It has not been easy. However, I can only continue to sincerely thank my family and friends who have assisted me from inception, as they see and understand the passion I have for karate. It is because of this unwavering support I get from them that I have been able to achieve this remarkable feat.
“I am hoping that corporate sponsors will come out and assist me on a yearly basis. This event has become bigger than one person can handle”.
Saleh told www.aclsports.com that one of the targets of this year’s edition is to create awareness of what young girls can benefit from Karate.
She said, “I want to create more awareness of what Karate is about and its benefits especially for our women and girls. The more the participation the larger the pool for selection into our National Team to represent us at international events. I am happy to announce that we will be having more teams from the neighbouring countries.
“A participant from Benin Republic has competed in the World Karate Championships; I am definitely sure we can produce athletes who can qualify for the Olympic Games”.
Saleh gave kudos to the Moroccan Karate Federation for organising a top notch African Championship last August.
She said, “The organisation at the just concluded African Championship in Casablanca, Morocco was top notch and comparable to any of our World Karate events. Kudos to the Moroccan Karate Federation. Our African Athletes are good; a large number of them compete on the World stage. Feryal Abdelaziz and Giana Farouk (Egypt) who won medals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics were present”.
She advised athletes to train more and showcase their talents when the situation arises.
She said, “Continue training and train hard; you will definitely succeed and achieve your aim. The Championship has been created for you to showcase yourselves and improve.
“The more you train the better you become and the further you are able to develop skill sets that can protect you in any unbecoming situation”.
