“We have plans to discover and nurture young boys and girls who want to specialise in Isshin-Ryu Karate in the future.’’
These words aptly describes what Shihan Mark Gabriel has in store for budding Isshin-Ryu Karatekas, as he has concluded plans to stage a two-day open tourney for associations, clubs and individuals inside the Hossam Thomas Okoya Sport Hall of the Lagos State University main campus, Ojo, this weekend.
To some sports followers, the name of the sport may not readily ring a bell, but for those who participated and watched the past editions of the competition, it is an interesting game.
Tomorrow and Sunday, the Okoya Sports Hall will reverberate, because Karatekas are already looking forward to this year’s edition with high expectations.
Their high expectations stem from the fact that previous editions of the tournament were exciting, competitive and educative, thereby compelling interested people to continue to buzz the organisers’ phone lines as if they all want to be issued visas to the United States of America, alas!, they are only eager to be part of the frenzy in the combat sport.
Some of the Karatekas, who took part in the last edition and are equally looking forward to this weekend’s show, said they have been training hard. Their belief is that the sport will be popularly in Nigeria in the nearest future.
As the countdown continues, organisers have issued a standing warning that all participants, including the Nigeria Police team, that there won’t be short-cut to victory, as the umpires will not favour any of the participants.
They added that only good Karatekas can win laurels for their respective clubs or associations. The event, which has the Mopol 22/20 Karate Technical Group as co-sponsor, promises to be electrifying as reports reaching P.M.Sports revealed that request for information about the event have continued to soar.
The organisers has assured that all security measures will be put in place to ensure the event is a success.
Speaking ahead of the talents discovery and grooming tournament, Shihan Gabriel said: ‘‘All is set for this weekend’s Open Championship. We have no age limit because it is open to both the children and adults.
“Security will be tight. The reason is that we don’t want any of the participants to be embarrassed or harassed. We have also put in place necessary facilities for the tourney. I want to say that we’ll have a good tourney by the grace of God.’’
It was gathered that the organisers would be strict on the technical aspect of the sport, as all rules and regulations regarding the tournament will be followed.
According to the official, ‘‘let me sound it loud and clear that we are going to follow all the rules and regulations guiding the sport. We don’t want the Karatekas to go for international competitions and start fumbling because if they don’t get it right now, they can’t get it right when they grow up.”
The adults also should be able to stand up against their counterparts in international tourneys, because we have plans of honouring some international competitions soon.”
For the kids, Gabriel said: “It is good for them because apart from keeping them in good shape, it will also help them to defend themselves whenever they are attacked.”
‘‘Issin-Ryu Karate is good in so many ways because it helps the mind to work fast and apart from that, it makes the Karatekas to be alert and ready to defend themselves whenever necessary. It is a sport that is good for everybody, so I advise parents to allow their wards to learn this art. I call it an art because it is a sport that encompasses everything pertaining to the mind, soul and body.”
The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Marvel Akpoyibo and other top brass of the force are expected to honour the event.
Shihan Gabriel said: ‘‘since the police team will be participating in the tournament, the Lagos State CP will be coming with other top officers. They have given us their words to support the police and other participants, because they want to have a feel of what the sport is all about. We also expect the guests to be of good conduct throughout the competition.”
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