The Lagos State / Mavrodi Mondial Movement (MMM) Under 18 Karate Championship ended during the week at the Rowe Park Sports Complex, Yaba, Lagos with Samchi Karate Academy of Lagos emerging champions.
Samchi Academy dazzled Karatekas from other states by winning 7 Gold, 5 Silver and 9 Bronze medals in the event which featured 16 categories.
The champions discovered at the event include; Jamal Akeem category 6 and under male Gold, Somelo Osielo category 7 to 8 female gold, Odi Redah category 9 to 10 green belt male 1 gold and silver, Hene Bassey category 7 to 8 green belt female gold, Esther Ndukwe category 8 to 9 orange belt female gold, Nwane Nnonye category 11 – 12 orange belt female and kumite 2 gold medal.
Speaking after the event, winner in the under 15 category, Dauda Muba said: “I am very grateful to God for my victory. I am very passionate about karate and I want to thank the Lagos State government and MMM for giving me this opportunity.”
In the same vein, organizer of the event, Sensei Adejebe Samuel, Founder of Samchi Karate Academy and coordinator Japan (Nihon) Karate-Do Seikokai Suzuki-Ha Shito-Ryu Nigeria branch, stated that the objective is to discover and nurture future talents.
“Today, Karate is an Olympic sport so the need to catch them young cannot be over-empahsised.
We need to start preparing them for the Olympics so that we can help them grow and win medals for the country.”
Louis Olusegun Kolawole, Director of Sports, speaking on why the Lagos State government partnered MMM said it was because the Lagos State government is ready to partner any individual or group with developmental initiatives targeted at the youths of the state. “The Lagos state Under 18 Karate Championship is one of such programmes and that fits into the vision of the Lagos State government because it promotes the youths in Lagos State.
Amaka Benson, Offline Secretary & Events Co-coordinator, MMM said that sponsoring the project is in line with the charity vision of MMM adding that MMM has carried out a good number of charity drives in Nigeria through partnerships with NGOPs initiatives targeted at alleviating poverty.
“We are privileged to have sponsored the Lagos State Under 18 Karate Championship. It is a privilege that the Lagos State government partnered us. I am so happy that we have been able to inspire the kids today.”