The chief instructor of Komigboshie Karate Club at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcouret,  Ugochukwu Mgbahuru, has identified lack of sponsorship from corporate bodies and individuals as a major challenge to the club.

Sensei Mgbahuru told Tidesports in a telephone interned yesterday in Port Harcourt that it was burdensome for the state government to be the sole sponsor of the game.

Describing the sport as a tool for inculcation of moral value and discipline wrong the youth, the martial arts boss advocated for a legislation that would compel corporate bodies and business tycoons operating in the state to sponsor and promote sporting events.

He argued that such legal frame work would help to discover talents for national and international sports competitions.

Apart from being a talent discovery and in culcation of discipline among the youths, it would also go along way to create employment opportunity for the restive youths in the state.

“Our major challenge is sponsorship. In Rivers State, apart from the state government body or individual for sponsorship, they would want to know what they stand to gain.

“They don’t care about the Karatekas. So it has being a long challenge for Karate practitioners because to act funds and sponsorship have been the problem, and all the sports cannot rely on government alone. IT is not done anywhere in the world” Sensei Mgbahuru lamented.

He said that due to lack of sponsors, the club has not been able to organize or participate in any national tornament.

Sensei Mgbahuru appealed to well-meaning Nigerians, to assist in the development of Karate in the state.

Isaac Nwankwo