The Nasarawa State government, on Monday, promised to develop karate by harnessing the potential of the sport in the state.
The Deputy Governor of the state, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, stated this at the 2nd National Nasarawa Open Karate Championship, Junior and Senior categories, held at the Magaji Dan Yamusa NYSC Orientation Camp, Keffi, on Monday.
Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, who expressed delight after watching karate for the first time, described it as a game of high discipline.
“It’s one game that develops the whole body,” he said, charging the participants to keep up the discipline at the championship.
According to him, Gov. Abdullahi Sule, governor of the state, takes sports very seriously, assuring that, karate will be given its pride of place in the state.
The Dep. Governor further lauded Mr. Silas, Agara, president of the Karate Federation of Nigeria, also a former deputy governor of Nasarawa State, for sponsoring the championship.
The emir of Keffi, Dr. Shehu Chindo-Yamusa, noted that Nigeria needed sports competitions such as the karate championship to foster unity in the country.
The royal father urged the state’s contingent to put in their best, to outshine other atheletes in national and international competitions.
Explaining the rationale for the championship, Agara said the whole idea was to get athletes that would represent Nigeria at the next International Karate Championship in Naimey, Niger.
Agara added that over 20 states were participating in the Keffi Championship, and thanked the Nasarawa state government for providing the NYSC camp for the competition.
He also sought collaboration between the state government and the Karate Federation of Nigeria, to enhance the game in the country.
Prizes were given to the athletes who performed well, particularly, the overall best in the junior and senior categories of the karate championship. (NAN)
