President of the World Karate Federation (WKF) Mr. Antonio Espinos has met the media on Wednesday to announce his presence in Accra and maximum support to the Local Organising Committee (,LOC) of the 13th African Games.
He commended the Ghana Karate Do Federation and other 26 countries who will compete for the medals.
He noted that the African Games is one of the most important intentional competitions, and expect to see best of performance at an excellent event
He said Karat is waiting for Olympic recognition, however are several international championships for athletes.
‘We aim to make Karate one of the best sports in the world’ he stressed.
Monsieur Souleymane Gaye president of the African Karate Federation hinted that 48 nations compose the continental body and at least 250 athletes will converge in Accra to represent their countries for the sports festival.
He named Egypt, Morocco. Algeria and Tunisia as the power houses in Africa, however there are rising countries like Senegal, South Africa, Côte Ivoire, Cameroon and Ghana.
He expressed that the focus is on developing the sport. “We have six regional championships to develop sports and we hold seminars for referees” he stressed.
Mr. Nathaniel Johnson, president of the Ghana Karate Do Federation said the Accra 2023 African Games is historic and will be very unique as it will bring Africans together.
The WKF led a technical meeting at the Lancaster Hotel in Accra on the 13th African Games which was attended by other executives.
Team Ghana has lightened up hoping to win medals. 10 male athletes and one female want fans to come and watch them at the Bukom Boxing Arena from next week. Edmund Amoako as one of the stars to watch.
The African Games are the biggest multi-sport event in Africa.
The 13th edition to be held in Accra gathers over 5000 athletes across 23 disciplines.
The event in Accra represents Karate’s ninth appearance in the sports programme of the African Games since its debut in 1991. The full African Games are scheduled from March 4 to 23, 2024.
The Karate competition is slated for March 7 to 9.
The first day comprises the categories of Male Kata, Male Team Kata, Male Kumite +84kg, Male Kumite -84kg, Male Kumite -75kg, Female Kumite +68kg, Female Kumite -68kg, and Female Kumite -61kg.
The second day will have the categories of Female Kata, Female Team Kata, Male Kumite -60kg, Male Kumite -67kg, Female Kumite -50kg, and Female Kumite -55kg taking the stage.
The final day will be focused on Male and Female Team Kumite.
By Sammy Heywood Okine
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