Sports
WKU Achievements, Prospects In Nigeria
Kickboxing is one of the combat sports in the world that is currently gathering more followership and popularity. The sport’s administrative body at the international level is christened World Kickboxing and Karate Union (WKU).
The sport arguably is the most popular martial arts in recent times. It is safe to practice because a lot of personal defensive gears are involved Besides, kickboxing has different styles that attract participation, they are; semi contact which is very close to Taekwando, light contact which extensive power is not allowed and no knock downs and full contact, low kicks K1 are played in the ring, with Kata forms is a musical shadow fight.
The nature of the sports made it to have several set backs before it was finally given a nod to be recognized as one of the sports in Nigeria, in 1993.
The delayance for the sports to be recognised was because the then military felt the sports was too physical and combative, that it is expected to be for the military men, they further conceived the fears that many people will misuse the techniques acquired to become street fighters alone.
But today, the story of kickboxing is the opposite thought of people because it has actually insert discipline in the kickboxing athletes or fighters.
No doubt the WKU, Nigeria have same challenges that are limiting them to achieve their set goals. This is so because the association is a non- profit making organisation, which means there are no source of funds other than sponsorship and donations from well meaning Nigerians.
Inspite of the challenges, the President of WKU in Nigeria, Nizar Taleb, is poised to develop the sports to the highest level in the country.
According to him, since he took over mantle of leadership in August, 2016, he has put a road map with Nigerian Kickboxing Association to take the Sports to Professional level and create avenue for all talented fighters in Nigeria to reach world class level.
“I have been encouraging Nigerian children to start with the sports early so that we can keep them out of the streets and all form of bad habits that are destroying our children nowadays,” Taleb said.
The president, who started martial arts at the age of seven and three time world champion with a lot of international medals and recognition explained that he has organised in-house seminars for judges, referees and fighters to enable them know the new rules and techniques of the sports.
“The second seminar held last week was for judges and referees with practical and written examination to certify those that will officiate when we will hold our WKU championship billed to commence from 28th to 30th April, this year in Port Harcourt.
“I want to say that two WKU belt fights will be nominated for the best of the best fighters. Then winners shall be nominated to represent Nigeria in the forthcoming world championships in Ireland August, this year,” he stated.
Taleb equally said that his vision is to ensure that over 80 million Nigerians out of the 180 million in the country to be kick boxers, saying that what inspired him to like kickboxing is that as a little boy he watched the films of a celebrated movie star Bruce Lee, because of his techniques’ moves and styles of fighting.
Consequently, he proceeded to study martial arts sciences with a Master Degree in Martial Arts of Science from Fima University London, now preparing for Doctorate in same field.
His achievements have earned him a Grade A head referee and instructor by many world organisations.
Taleb, who is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of UTF companies said the advantages of kickboxing are enormous, adding that apart from its great workout for the body, it will give you self esteem and confidence when you are in the street.
“Kickboxing techniques are very practical to be used as a self defence style in the streets, as contrary to other traditional martial arts that cannot be practised during a street fight”, he added.
He used the forum to appeal to parents to encourage their children to learn Martial Arts and promised the World President of WKU, Klaus Naumekhor, that Nigeria will attend the World Championships in Ireland with the best fighters.
“Nigerian fighters are mentally balanced to attend the world championship. Other countries should also prepare for us, because from what I am seeing our boys are not far from the world class level they just need little advice, amendments in training and good system to follow.
“They are very strong but will to be given the path to take out this strong power and make of it a maximum force,” he stated.
Tonye Orabere
Port Harcourt the capital city of Rivers State will be at the centre stage in Nigeria as Port Harcourt Arsenal Community will hold her maiden edition of Football Fans Fiesta (FFF).
The Fiesta scheduled to hold on the 13th December, 2025, at Eddiz wine bar GRA, promises to be all football fans carnival in the State , as there will be a lot of fanfares.
The Coordinator of Port Harcourt Arsenal Community (PHAC), Ugochukwu Oputa has said that the forthcoming Football Fans Fiesta was basically to promote peace, unity and love among football fans in irrespective of the cub.
He stated that sports is a catalyst to bring peace, love and Unity in any given society, hence the occasion was initiated.
Oputa said this in an interview with sports journalists in Port Harcourt yesterday, saying that arrangements are on top gear for a successful programme.
” This event is for all football fans irrespective of your club. It is basically to promote peace, love and Unity among fans.
“It is like stating the obvious that football is the catalyst of peace and unity in the world. So the Port Harcourt Arsenal Community want to use this avenue to bring people together and foster friendship.
“There is no gate fee, but it is expected to put on jersey of your club as to make the event look unique” Oputa said.
The Coordinator used the forum to advice football fans in the world to love one another, and equally urged fans that will attend the occasion to be of good conduct and behaviour.
Tonye Orabere
Consistent with its project execution routine, Dunamis-Icon Limited, Project Consultants of the Niger Delta Games, has concluded the first phase of physical inspection and evaluation of facilities for the event, 24 hours after the presentation of the hosting right to Edo State was performed.
The project management team was guided round select facilty locations in Benin City by Desmond Amadin Enabulele, Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, and the team leader, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo expressed satisfaction with the sports infrastructure assets of the host.
“Edo is a ready-made choice based on all the factors that are necessary to host this kind of big event. We are expecting over 3000 athletes coaches, alongside journalists and technical officials, with an approximate number of people outside spectators in the range of 5000. So, we need facilities that work for the games itself”, Ikpokpo explained.
He commended the Edo State Government for the good state of facilities at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, and promised that the state will be assisted with the renovation of some of the facilities as may be necessary to ensure good competition experience for the athletes.
“I have been to the iconic Ogbe Stadium and must commend the Edo State Government for maintaining the facilities there. We are also considering taking some events to the University of Benin, so that people in that part of the city can also feel and enjoy the fun. Where need be, we will also see how to assist the state and the University of Benin to add value to some of the sporting facilities”.
Dunamis Icon Limited is the franchise rights owner to the games conceived and designed to provide a platform for unity and integration, and identifying and grooming talented youths from the region into national and international stars.
The NDDC as the flagship interventionist agency for the nine states that make up the region, is the prime sponsor of the games as part of their strategic focus on youth engagement and human capital development.
The inspection tour began at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, after a brief meeting with Enabulele and the Sports Commission team at his office.
Areas inspected include the stadium’s main bowl, the tartan track, the state box, the VIP lounges and other key areas like the ceremonial room, the media studio and other indoor facilities.
Other facility locations assessed are the Wire Road Sports Centre being listed to host basketball and volleyball games, the University of Benin Sports Complex, and the Etete Sports Centre.
In the entourage of Dunamis-Icon were the Project Director, Mr Fred Edoreh; Director of Facilities and Equipment, Dr Emmanuel Ochuko Igbigbisie; the head of Communications, Harry Iwuala; Head of Transport and Logistics, Israel Umueri Afoke. Others are Theresa Ineke, Head of Secretariat, Godwin Enakhena, the Head of Scouting, Mr. Edi Lawani, the Head of Culture Affairs and Entertainment and Elder Siegha Porbeni of the Technical Department.
The Edo Sports Commission Chairman was also supported by Hon. Frank Ilaboya and Mrs Sabina Chikere, Executive Directors, with Mr Baldwin Bazuaye (MON) also in the company.
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