MMM/Lagos karate tourney throws pu Olympic hopefuls

The Lagos State/Mavrodi Mondial Movement (MMM) U-18 Karate Championship has ended 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 seven gold, five silver and nine bronze medals in the event, which featured 16 categories.

The champions discovered at the event include Jamal Akeem category 6 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 U-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 was to discover and nurture future talents.

“Today, Karate is an Olympic sport, so the need to catch them young. 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 Lagos State government was ready to partner any individual or group with developmental initiatives targeted at the youths of the state.

“The Lagos state U-18 Karate Championship is one of such programmes that fits into the vision of the Lagos State government because it promotes the youths in Lagos State.

Bakare Suleiman, Vice Chairman, Nigerian Referee Karate Commission, described the championship as a welcome development: “It is something we are all happy to witness. The children will benefit a lot because this gives them the opportunity to showcase what they have learnt in different belt categories. It is a step in the right direction.”