NAN-S-10
Karate
By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
Lagos, July 14, 2017 (NAN) Shola Shoyoye, Head Coach, Lagos State Karate Association (LSKA), has advised the board of Karate Federation of Nigeria (KFN) to organise programmes that would attract sponsorship from the corporate bodies.
Shoyoye told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos that it was only through such measures that the sport could further develop.
NAN reports that Silas Agara, Deputy Governor, Nasarawa State, emerged the KFN President in the June 13 elections held in Abuja.
“The election in Karate has come and gone and we thank God for the new board; we hope they will do everything possible to surpass the activities of the last board.
“They will obviously have their vision but in organising competitions, they should approach corporate organisations with fascinating programmes to win their attention for sponsorship.
“Regular competitions, participating in international championships and athletes’ welfare are major aspects that will bring the desired improvement to the present standard of the sport,’’ he said.
Shoyoye advised the board to regularly renew its membership of the World Karate Federation (WKF), the sport’s apex karate governing body by paying its annual affiliation fee.
He said that regular payment of the affiliation fee would enable member countries to benefit from grants, invitational programmes and participations in competitions organised by the WKF.
“Affiliation fee is very important for Nigeria to sustain its membership of the WKF; therefore, this new board must annually address it to enable us to remain in the picture,’’ he said.
The coach, however, urged states and clubs affiliated to KFN to give maximum support to the Agara-led KFN board, expected to be inaugurated on July 21.
NAN reports that the KFN was formally inaugurated in 1992 and is directly responsible to the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Ministry of Youth and Sports for the development of Karate in Nigeria. (NAN)
MIL/FLP/PDE
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(Edited by Folorunso Poroye/Peter Ejiofor)