By Joshua Osinowo
As the Team Nigeria contingent departed Lagos yesterday for the World Karate Championship in Cairo, the board of the Karate Federation of Nigeria (KFN) has appealed to the National Sports Commission (NSC) to help offset some of the debts incurred to make the trip a reality.
The KFN in a release shared with NationSports, noted that “ the World Championship falls within the purview of the National Sports Commission (NSC)” hence the appeal for reimbursement on the funds expended on the karatekas.
The World Karate Championship is scheduled to hold between November 27 and 30 in Cairo.
Nigeria will be proudly represented by five exceptional karatekas who have shown remarkable dedication, discipline and competitive excellence .
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The quintet are: Loveth Ngozi Okoro ( Kumite -50kg);Godfirst Orie Ukoha-Sampson (Kumite -55kg);Constance Tamunodiepreye Abode (Kumite -61kg);Ujunwa Caroline Nwankwo ( Kumite +68kg) and Oluwaseun Olorunbe ( Kumite – Male Kata).They will be led by coach Efezino Akpotu while Olusegun Abode is leader of delegation.
Incidentally, four of the female karatekas to watch in Cairo are Okoro, Ukoha-Sampson, Tamunodiepreye-Abode and Nwankwo, who have been consistent contenders at the annual Zainab Saleh International Female Open Karate Championship, the brainchild of Hajiya Zainab Saleh, a Board Member of the Karate Federation of Nigeria (KFN), which has empowered and elevated female karatekas in Nigeria.