Japanese Ambassador’s Karate Tournament Concludes in Nigeria, as KFN President, Silas Agara applauds Stakeholders 

Oru Leonard 

The 3rd Japanese Ambassador’s Karate Tournament came to a close yesterday, marking the end of two days of intense and respectful competition. The event, held in Abuja, Nigeria, showcased the exceptional talent and dedication of Nigeria’s karateka.

In his remarks, the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria,Ambassador Matsunaga Kazuyoshi expressed immense pride in the athletes, coaches, referees, and their families and friends who participated in the tournament. He commended the outstanding performance of the athletes, highlighting their sportsmanship, commitment to karate, and embodiment of the values of discipline, respect, and the pursuit of excellence.

The tournament featured familiar faces and new talent, with competitors demonstrating unwavering determination and a genuine passion for karate. The event was a testament to the growing popularity and development of karate in Nigeria.

The Japanese Ambassador encouraged the athletes to continue excelling in their craft, both on and off the mat. The tournament’s success was a reflection of the strong bond between Nigeria and Japan, and the ambassador looked forward to future collaborations.

The Ambassador  said, “To our athletes: I commend your outstanding performance. Your sportsmanship and commitment to karate are truly admirable.
“May you continue to excel, both in and out of the dojo, using karate as a means to positively influence your lives and communities.
“I am delighted by the growing enthusiasm for karate in Nigeria. During my recent visit to Japan last month, I visited the World Karate Federation office in Tokyo.
I had the pleasure of meeting Mr NAGURA Toshihisa, Secretary General of WKF.
He expressed great interest in our karate activities here and kindly presented me with this book on the history of karate in Japan. I would like to present it to you now. Through this book, I expect you to learn how karate was started and developed in Japan, which will help you develop karate in Nigeria.

I would also like to thank our sponsors.
Hisamitsu has generously provided 2,700 Salonpas pain relief patches for all participants.
Axxela has graciously funded the medals for our deserving winners.
I have also brought some Pocari
Sweat, an excellent Japanese sports drink, as I did last time.
I hope Pocari Sweat will help you stay hydrated after the tournament or during training.
To everyone who has supported this event: thank you for your invaluable contribution.
May this tournament serve as a catalyst for positive change, promoting peace, understanding, and the unwavering pursuit of excellence.
I wish you all the best in the upcoming final match.”

In an interview with NEWS DOT AFRICA, the Ambassador further noted, “The 3rd Japanese Ambassador’s Karate Tournament showcases Japan’s support for karate in Nigeria.

It’s more than sport; it’s cultural exchange and character building.
As the karate saying goes, The ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of character.
This philosophy drives our engagement. Through karate, we’re fostering disciplined individuals and building bridges between Japan and Nigeria.”

Also speaking the President of the Karate Federation of Nigeria (KFN) former Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State in Nigeria and the present Director General of the National Directorate of Employment ( NDE), Mr Silas Agara, thanked the Japanese government for sponsoring the contest for three years consecutively. “We have witnessed tremendous improvement in this championship and we believe that we can do better with the sponsorship of others ….” He commended the veterans who are representing at the international levels mentioning Segun Akinola and appreciated the support the referees has given even at a very here cost.

He specifically mentioned the interest of the Nigerian Defence Headquarters thanking the Chief of Defense Staff, Chief of  Army Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff.

The 3rd Japanese Ambassador’s Karate Tournament will be remembered as a celebration of karate excellence, Nigerian talent, and international friendship.