Karate Federation To Consolidate On Achievements

The Karate Federation of Nigeria (KFN), says it will continue with its achievements in 2010 in the New Year.

KFN Secretary, Clement Iyaluegbeghe made the assertion while reflecting over the out gone year in an interview with newsmen early in the week in Lagos.

“We in the federation must say that in 2010 we made great strides in developing the sport in the country and we are glad that we accomplished most of the activities on our calendar,’’ Iyaluegbeghe said.

He said that the federation introduced four new championships — the first Karate Classics, Sardauna of Sokoto Karate Championships, Armed Forces and Para-military Championships and the National Karate Invitational Championship.

Other activities accomplished are the staging of the Second Delta State National Open Karate Championships, Pre-season National Camp, Camping for UFAK Zone III Championship and UFAK Zone III African Senior Karate Championships.

The rest included the National Technical Training Courses for the Six Geopolitical Zones and KFN Full Council Meeting and the 20th World Senior Championships and WKF Congress.

Iyaluegbeghe said that though they attended one of the three international competitions on their calendar they recorded great success.

He said Nigeria could not go to Serbia with athletes to compete at the 20th World Senior Championships and Congress but was able to attend the congress.

The scribe said that Nigerian athletes at the UFAK Zone III African Senior Karate Championship in Niamey, Niger Republic topped the medal table with three gold, three silver and six bronze medals.

He said the federation had hoped to attend all the proposed international championships but there was not enough financial support from corporate organisations.

The KFN secretary said from the local competitions they organised, they discovered talents who were able to dethrone champions, indicating a bright future for the sport.

He attributed the successes to the determination and sacrifices of the federation’s officials, promising their fans that “we will continue with the success story in 2011’’.

Nathaniel Taiwo-Ojo, KFN President said most of the competitions were organised with their personal fund make sure the game grew against all odds.

He said that attending international competitions this year would be given priority attention.

Bola Akinkunmi, a karateka said that they were satisfied with the federation’s performance in 2010.

“I am very happy with our experiences in the out gone year as we were very busy.’’

He expressed the hope that the board and technical officials would strive to make this year better.