Anambra sports commission boss praises Karate team’s feat at Bayelsa
The Chairman, Anambra Sports Development Commission, Patrick-Estate Onyedum, has hailed the state’s contingent to the 2nd Strata Base National Karate Championship held in Bayelsa.
Onyedum made the commendation on Tuesday, when he received the report on the team’s outing from its Coach, Godwin Okoro, in his office in Awka.
The competition held at the Samson Sisia Stadium, Yenagoa between April 12 and April 15.
According to the report, Anambra emerged second best with four gold and four silver behind Federal Capital Territory, which garnered five gold, one silver and five bronze.
Anambra won gold through Ujunwa Nwankwo in the -68kg category, team Kata female, team kumite female, Unchenna Nwonu, in the -67kg category.
Ngozi Okoro won two silver in the individual Kata and -50kg, Emmanuel Ogbuagu won -67kg, while Chinaemerem Chiadikobi completed the medal haul.
Onyedum said the performance showed Anambra had comparative advantage in Karate and expressed the desire to take the development of the sport up in primary and secondary schools in the state.
He urged the coach to work with Anambra Karate Association to workout a template for the establishment of clubs in selected primary and secondary schools in the three senatorial districts of the state.
“On behalf of the governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, I congratulate and welcome you and members of your team on the wonderful performance, coming second in a national competition is not an easy feat.
“I want a situation where the game would be known in our schools for the physical and mental development of the Anambra child.
“The starting point is the establishment of Karate clubs in selected schools.
“So, you have to work with your association to see that Anambra becomes a powerhouse in Nigerian Karate,” he said.
Earlier, Okoro thanked the chairman of the commission for giving the seven-member team the opportunity to participate in the championship.
He said that Karate was good for self defence and discipline of the athletes as well as high medal winner for the state at competitions.
The coach said he was ready to take the sport to Anambra communities given necessary government’s support.
