DELTA, EDO, FCT, NIGERIA ARMY TOP MEDAL TABLE AT KARATE & KICKBOXING CHAMPIONSHIP ENDED IN PORTHARCOURT

​The maiden edition of the Rivers National Karate and Kickboxing championship was brought to an end with Nigeria National Anthem as the participating teams and officials where instructed to queue for match past with their unions thereby giving the Alfred Diete Spiff event center a colorful look with VIPs from all works of life delivering their speech.

In attendance are King Alfred Diete Spiff (Event Chairman), Hon. Silas Agara (Karate President), Chief Marco Purgatorio (GM Plangeria Ltd), CSP. Yakubu Abubakar (Kickboxing President), King Eze Obun including other special guests that graced the memorable closing ceremony.

Notably, the championship was a commemoration of the (Late) Victor Bassey a pioneer both in Karate and Kickboxing but the late Sensei has tutored many students in self-defense some in the Army, Police and Para-Military and he was a great Sports personality that left his footprint behind. Also, the WKO president in Nigeria won so many accolades and awards since he shown interest in Karate, Judo, Kickboxing Sports during his secondary school days.

Adding 'ice into the cake' was a awesome performance from D Psk dancing crew who stir up the joy in the spectators with their energetic Hip-hop display alongside ace Comedian Danny Spry with hilarious moment shortly before the finals matches on both Karate and Kickboxing fights that was happening simultaneously.

While speaking on behalf of the Nigeria Karate Federation, Agara told news men, "I see success in the future of this athletes but they need our encouragement that is why we're doing our best to enable them excel nationally and globally.
He continue, "we have plans to organize clinic for our officials and we will extend our programs to Primary schools, Secondary schools and territory institutes for them to learn more" he concluded.

The tribute tournament had 22 teams in Karate and 16 participating teams in Kickboxing across the country. And it's targeted at preparing the athletes for the upcoming National Sports Festival, All Africa Games, Olympics ecetera.

Kickboxing president briefed Journalists, "It been very encouraging aside from the massive turnout; i'm glad we organized a successful tournament of this magnitude with a fair officiating.

In his speech earlier, he said, we're grateful to Rivers State for giving us the needed resources and facilities regarding this important event. Indeed, Rivers State is a beehive of Sporting activities among others.

"Equally, appreciating the PLANT-GERIA LTD for their immense support which Chief. Marco Purgatorio (MD) has shown towards developing combat Sports in Nigeria" Abubakar fanalized.

Meanwhile, DFC boss and Kickboxing LOC chairman expressed satisfaction about the event but explained further, "Our target is to replace the aging ones with the newly discovered talents.

Adding, "we're definitely going to showcase our best athletes at the Unity Games in Abuja. Although, Samson Ndukwe, Juliet Okah and Bright Green are very good as we look forward to expose them to more Africa competitions" he maintained.

Amazingly, young star Oluwaseun Olurumbe (Fct) claimed best KATA award as (Delta) Ogheneogaga Elizebeth won the female category while in KUMITE, (Edo) Ramot Mommor received the female award and renown Joseph Omu collected the male category.

Certainly, the Unity Games will be fascinating and historical as team Fct has recorded total of 2 golds and 3 silvers in this championship, because once they host the 19th National Sports Festival by December, there will be a huge impact and different as the Sports Minister is working alongside Directors and Officials to ensure a remarkable outing in the capital city between 6th-16 December, 2018.
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In summary, Delta won over medal table as Edo clinched 2nd position while team Fct emerging 3rd. Meanwhile, Nigeria Army retained their titles as they dominated the Kickboxing events throughout the tournament. In addition, medals, laurels and cash prize was given to the successful athletes alongside certificate of participation to all of them.

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