A total number of 22 potential karatekas have been discovered at the just-concluded karate trials held by the Rivers State Karate Association at the main hall of the Alfred Diete Spiff Sports Complex, Port Harcourt.

The athletes selected were expected to go into close camping for further preparation to enable them develop further and compete favourably at the forthcoming National Sports Festival billed to be hosted by Rivers State come November 2010.

Chief Coach of the state karate team, Leader Kinsley Yacob O. Emelie, who made this known at the weekend during the final trial, noted that the number included both male and female karatekas.

According to him, the athletes put up a very impressive performance that marvelled  the officials, saying that the association has finally picked the best amongst the best to represent the state at the 2010 National Sports Festival tagged “Garden City Games 2010”.

“I am so impressed with the standard exhibited by the athletes during the trials. I think we underestimated them, but they really did well,” he said.

He continued that, the state karate team has been on intensive training sessions for three months in order to perform creditably during the screening exercise for camping ahead of the National Sports Festival.

Coach Emelie, explained that, those athletes are seasoned and assured that more medals would be won to surpass the one secured at Kaduna 2009.

He said that with their performance during the trials they put smiles on the faces of the Rivers people at the fiesta.

Meanwhile, chairman of the state karate Association has promised to give some cash prizes to those that passed the screening to encourage them to do better in their subsequent engagement.

Also, certificates would be presented to those who were picked during the trial.