Nigeria wins Bronze in Karate

The National Karate Team of Nigeria have won bronze at the ongoing All-Africa Games.

National Karate Coach, Emmanuel Metu, said this while speaking about his team at the Games.

According to Metu, Team Nigeria fielded only 11 karatekas at the Games.

“It is unfortunate that we could not assemble a full team of 29,” Metu is quoted to say by (NAN)

“I must also admit that the standard is very high here. We lost to Algeria that is ranked among the top three teams in the world at the semi-finals stage.

“So, I must commend the athletes for their performance so far, but we are hopeful for a better future in the sport,” Metu said.

Sandra Afesumen who is a female karateka attributed Nigeria’s poor showings at the Games generally to poor attendance at national and international championships.

Afesumen won a bronze medalist bronze medalist in the team event at the 10th edition of the All-Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique in 2011.

She urged the National Sports Commission and corporate bodies to support all sports, in order to help to push the youth empowerment policy of government as well as help general sport development effort.