Abuja: No fewer than 1,000 athletes have arrived in Abuja for the 2025 African Karate Championship scheduled to hold between July 21 and July 28.
Silas Agara, President of the Karate Federation of Nigeria (KFN), told reporters in Abuja on Sunday that 31 countries, alongside host Nigeria, would compete in four categories of the sport.
Agara listed the categories to include the cadet, which accommodates athletes between 14 and 15 years, as well as the junior category, which has athletes between the ages of 16 and 17.
Other categories include senior and para karate, which cater to athletes above 18 years of age, respectively.
Today, we are pleased to announce that most of the countries that have indicated their participation in the upcoming African Championship are now on the ground.
“We have officials from other countries who are here to provide technical assistance to the championship on the ground.
” Our part as a federation, we have been on the ground for the past week trying to ensure that all the logistics are in place and accommodation has been sorted for countries that are coming.
As of Wednesday night, the closing date for registration, we have 31 countries indicating interest in attending, with over 1,000 athletes from these countries, including officials.
Logistics for these athletes and officials have not been easy in terms of sorting out their accommodation, transport from the hotel, and immigration processes, such as obtaining a visa on arrival. These are some of the key logistics.
“But I am happy that we are on course,” Agara said.
The KFN president also noted that the General Assembly of the African Championship would take place in Abuja during this period.
Dave Jegede, Technical Director of the Federation, said that Nigeria would be presenting 60 athletes for the championships and that the athletes are in high spirits ahead of the competition.
“Anticipatory, we have been preparing. We know that we are hosting and, as such, have lined up several championships in the past to keep our athletes in tune.
“We have about four national and two regional championships, which we have done. So these athletes have been attending competitions regularly. They’ve been in camp before now, and they’re in high spirits.
“We have about 60 athletes who will participate in this championship, and many of them are African champions. We have gold, silver, and bronze medalists on our team. We also have Commonwealth medalists in our team.
“So all these put together, and with the preparation we have had, we’re sure we’ll make Nigeria proud,” Jegede said.
