Sports

Abuja Hosts African Karate Championship as 31 Nations Battle for Glory

Published

5 months ago

July 21, 2025

….Karate Federation President Agara Pledges Impactful Championship

Joel Ajayi

No fewer than 1,000 athletes have arrived in Abuja for the 2025 African Karate Championship, scheduled to hold from July 21 to July 28.

, President of the Karate Federation of Nigeria (KFN), Silas Agara stated this in Press Conference on Abuja on Sunday that 31 countries, alongside host nation Nigeria, will compete across four categories of the sport.

Agara explained that the categories include:Cadet (ages 14–15), Junior (ages 16–17),Senior, and Para-karate (for athletes aged 18 and above).

According to him, Today, we are happy to announce that most of the countries that indicated interest in participating in the African Championship are already on ground,” Agara stated.

“We also have international officials present to provide technical support throughout the event. As a federation, we have been working tirelessly over the past week to ensure all logistics are in place, including accommodation for the visiting countries.”

He noted that as of Wednesday night—the official deadline for registration—31 countries had confirmed participation, with over 1,000 athletes and officials expected in total.

“Coordinating logistics for these athletes and officials has been quite demanding, especially regarding accommodation, transportation, and immigration matters, such as visa-on-arrival processing. However, I’m happy to say that we are on course,” he added.

Agara further disclosed that the General Assembly of the African Karate Federation will also take place in Abuja during the championship.

In his remarks, Dave Jegede, Technical Director of the KFN, said Nigeria would present 60 athletes for the championship, all of whom are in high spirits ahead of the competition.

“In anticipation of this event, we have been preparing extensively. As the host nation, we organized several national and regional championships to keep our athletes sharp and competition-ready,” Jegede said.

“We’ve held four national and two regional tournaments leading up to this championship. Our 60-athlete team includes African and Commonwealth medalists—gold, silver, and bronze winners—so we are confident in their ability to make Nigeria proud,” he added.

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Sports

Niger Delta Games Organisers Mourn Senator Ewhrudjakpo, Condole Bayelsa Govt

Published

18 hours ago

December 18, 2025

The Gleamer

Organisers of the Niger Delta Games, Dunamis-Icon, have commiserated with the government and people of Bayelsa State on the demise of the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

In a condolence message signed by the Managing Consultant, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo KSM, and physically delivered by its Project Director, Mr Fred Edoreh, through the State Commissioner for Sports, Hon Daniel Igali, at the Yenogoa Sports complex on Wednesday, December 17, Ikpokpo stated that the demise of the Deputy Governor is not only a loss to his immediate family and the government of Bayelsa State, but to the Niger Delta and nationwide sports.

“We are well aware of his contributions to nation building, not only as a former Senator and Deputy Governor, but also as a notable figure in the development and promotion of sports in the Niger Delta region and at the national level,” Ikpokpo stated.

“His passage is therefore a huge loss, not only to the government and people of Bayelsa State, but also to the sports family, nationwide.

“As Project Consultants of the Niger Delta Games, the management and staff of Dunamis-Icon Limited share in your grief and wish to convey our heartfelt condolences to you and all Bayelsans.

“We pray that God grant you the fortitude to bear this great loss.”

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