Onyedum Lauds Anambra Karate Team Over Performance At Bayelsa Championship
Patrick-Estate Onyedum, Chairman of Anambra State Sports Development Commission has commended the state contingent to the 2nd Strata Base National Karate Championship held in Bayelsa.
Onyedum said this when he received report on th outing from Godwin Okoro, coach of the team in his office in Awka on Tuesday.
The competition held at the Samson Sisia Stadium, Yenagoa between April 12 and April 15.
According to the report, Anambra emerged overall second best at the competition 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 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 desire to take the development of the sport in primary and secondary schools across the State.
He urged the coach to work with Anambra Karate Association to workout a template for 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 want to congratulate and welcome you and members of your team for the wonderful performance, coming second in a national competition is not an easy feat.
“I want a situation where the game will 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 7-man team the opportunity to participate at the championship.
He said Karate was good for self defense and discipline of the athletes as well as high medal winner for state at competitions.
The coach said he was ready to take the sports to Anambra communities with the necessary support by government.
