Samchi Academy wins MMM/Lagos Karate tourney

Caption: Some of the participants at the just-ended Lagos state/MMM U-18 karate championship.

The Lagos state/Mavrodi Mondial Movement (MMM) U-18 karate championship ended during the week 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 six and under male gold; Somelo Osielo, category seven to eight female gold; Odi Redah category nine to 10 green belt male one gold and silver, Hene Bassey category seven to eight green belt female gold, Esther Ndukwe category eight to nine orange belt female gold, Nwane Nnonye category 11-12 orange belt female and kumite two gold medals.

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, organiser 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 is to discover and nurture future talents.

“Today, karate is an Olympic sport so the need to catch them young cannot be over-emphasised. 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 on the event said it was

because the Lagos State government is ready to partner any individual or group with developmental initiatives targeted at the

youths of the state.

“The Lagos state Under 18 Karate Championship is one of such programmes and that fits into the vision of the Lagos State

government because it promotes the youth in Lagos state.

Amaka Benson, Offline Secretary and Events Co-coordinator, MMM said that sponsoring the project is in line with the charity vision of the outfit adding that MMM has carried out a good number of charity drives in Nigeria through partnerships with NGOPs initiatives targeted at alleviating poverty.

“We are privileged to have sponsored the Lagos state U-18 Karate Championship. It is a privilege that the Lagos State government

partnered us. I am so happy that we have been able to inspire the kids today.”