At least 200 karatekas are expected to compete at the 9th edition of the Zainab Saleh International Female Karate Championship scheduled to hold from 2nd to 5th November at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.
Founder, Zainab Saleh, revealed this to journalists at a press conference organised at the Sports Bar of the Teslim Balogun stadium.
“We are expecting over 200 athletes who have already registered for the competition as we begin on Friday, 3rd November. The tournament will start with the referee’s course and examination on Thursday, 2nd November, which is the standard at all African and World tournaments”, Saleh said.
Prizes will be presented to the gold, silver and two bronze medallists in the Kata and Kumitae categories across the senior, junior, cadet, U-14 and U-12 (10-11) weight classes after the end of the competition on Saturday, 4 November.
A chairperson of the Lagos State Karate Association, Saleh believes the competition has contributed greatly to the growth of karate in Nigeria.
“The championship has definitely contributed to the growth of women’s karate in Nigeria because quite a few of our female athletes have been selected for Nigeria’s National Team through this event not to mention one of its participants, an athlete from Benin Republic, who has been a competitor of this Championship from Inception has competed at the World level”, she said.
“I am also proud to say that for every year this event takes place, I see the level of improvement in the technical skills of our athletes. Well done to all the girls who have made it so far. I am hoping that corporate sponsors will come out and assist me on a yearly basis. This event has become bigger than one person can handle”.
The Championships which has taken place every year since 2014 except in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic aim to also create awareness of what young girls can benefit from karate.
“I want to create more awareness of what Karate is about and its benefits, especially for our women and girls. The more the participation the larger the pool for selection into our National Team to represent us at international events. I am happy to announce that we will be having more teams from the neighbouring countries.
“A participant has competed in the World Karate Championships; I am definitely sure we can produce athletes who can qualify for the Olympic Games”, she said.
She advised athletes to train more and showcase their talents when they get the opportunities.
