Nigeria Karate Federation (NKF) will make history by leading the first set of athletes to the Olympics after successful trials in France in June 2021.
The three Olympics hopefuls are using the national sports festival Edo 2020 to shape their skills demonstration in the competitive combat sports.
Leading the three future Olympians is Cross River’s Rustum Bernard, while Rita Ogene of FCT and Hope Adele from Delta State form the pioneer team.
Rustum Bernard in male -75kg category and Rita Ogene in female +61kg category have so far won Gold in Edo games.
The NKF Board Member and Chairman Lagos State Karate Association, Dr. Bello Omololu in an exclusive interview with The New Diplomat at the Ogbemudia stadium indoor hall expressed delight with the level karate improvement.
“The competition is going smooth and the standard of karate has increased. The fact that we are going for Olympics, the festival has given them the opportunity to showcase their skills to Olympic standard.”
“The standard of officiating has improved. The coaches and athletes have engaged themselves in proper decorum.
Dr Bello who scored the Edo game higher equally called on individuals and corporate bodies to sponsor the athletes for more training tour and experience.
Secretary Nigeria Para Olympic committee, Mr. Sulaiman Isah, Head of Coaches NKF, Micklem Emechete-Attoh and NKF Federation, Mai Kano were all at the upgraded tetami to monitor the Karate medal events.
