Participants at the just-concluded Karate seminar on Friday in Lagos praised the Lagos State Karate Referees Association for organising the event aimed at unveiling the new rules in the sport.
The theme of the seminar, the event which ran from September 30 to October 1, was tagged: Winning karate competition.
Some of the coaches that took part in the event told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews at the National Stadium, Lagos that the seminar was an eye-opener as the rules keep changing.
David Omache, coach of Ejim Martial Art Club praised the organisers, saying it was a new beginning that would broaden the knowledge of the participants in the sport.
“I want to say it is a new beginning for Karate and I give kudos to the organisers. I look at the seminar that it will help us to go back to the grassroots to raise good karatekas for the country.
“Our performance at the recently held 11th African Games, staged in Brazzaville, Congo could have been better if we had given those at the grassroots the needed recognition, we could have performed better,” he said.
Uchenna Udemezue, a Lagos State coach said he learnt about the latest rules released by the World Karate Federation (WKF) at the seminar.
“I learnt that that there are three criteria to consider in an inconclusive match. Attitude and fighting spirit is one; tactics and techniques is another. Most of us did not know that it has changed. I really want to appreciate the resource persons because I have gained a lot,” he said.
According to him, karate helps to control people’s temper.
Obinna Ezuma, Chief instructor, Semkai Martial Art Club, Agbara also observed that the seminar brought coaches in the state together to share knowledge on the development of Karate.
Ezuma said he would go back to his club to teach his karatekas what he had learnt, especially in scoring points.
“I learnt that a kick to the head is now three points, kick to the midsection is two points and hand techniques are just a point. It is interesting to know that,” he said.
NAN reports that no fewer than 25 coaches attended the seminar. Suleiman Bakare, Idowu Ayodeji and Mac Brown – all senior referees in the country also attended.
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