Non-karatekas for open championship in France

About fourteen non-karates are expected to be in France this weekend for the Karate open international championship bill to take place on 15 and 16 of January ,2005 in Paris.In a letter signed by the Federation Francaise de Karate(FFKAMA)president Francis Didier, the list invludes; Pholip Adeniyi Fumakinwa, Alaba Gbolahan Eduke, Charles Onyekachi Edioke and Ikechukwu Onyeazor,Maruin Osanyanda Obieriakhi, Joy Orido, Angela Ndiefe, Rosemary Gaberial, Cynithia Ojo, Ogbede Vincent Aidamebor, Titus Okonkwo, Mukaila Aderemi Olaoye. The participating Karateas are expected to arrive Paris Friday for the two-day championship.

However, in an interview with nigeriasports.com, Secretary General of the Karate Federation of Nigeria (KFN) Amaechi Akawo denied having any knowledge of any championship taking place in Paris this weekend, saying that the list of Karatekas send by FFKAMA are not Nigeria athletes.

"I am not aware of any Karate championship coming up this weekend in France adding that the list of karateas sent to the association are not Nigeria athletes. They are tarnishing the image of this association and the country. I don’t even know them ,he said.

According to him,"the Federation is yet to draft the programme of activities for this year. It is not easy funding an international competition, moreover we’ve just came back from Togo two days ago, where will l get the fund to paid the bills of 14 karatekas going for a championship in France this weekend ".

Meanwhile, Nigeria have won the international Cup of Friendship And Solidarity Karate Champion which took place on the 11<SUP>th</SUP> and 12<SUP>th</SUP> January 2995 in Lome, Togo.

Out of the 33 medals that was at stake, Nigeria came top among the tri-nations that participated in the two-day championship with 6 gold, 5 silver and 3 bronze medals while the host country Togo came second with 2 gold, 2 Silver and 9 bronze medals.

He maintained that Nigeria was given the best men Overall and a trophy for their performances in the male category plus a cash reward of 2000 cefas, also they awarded the best committed team and won the best overall team.

"I am very happy that Nigeria Karatekas did well and this is a sign of good beginning for Karate association this year, Akawo told nigeriasports.com.

By Onyinyechi Anyanwu

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