By Amin Kef (Ranger)
The Sierra Leone Karate Federation and National Olympic Committee and Commonwealth Games Association-Sierra Leone in collaboration with the Japanese Embassy in Sierra Leone has on Saturday 4th March, 2023 hosted the annual ‘Japanese Ambassador Karate Championship’ at the YWCA New Hall at Brookfields in Freetown.
The event was attended by the Japanese Ambassador, HE Mochizuki Hisanabu and other dignitaries.
This medium understood that the aim of the championship is geared towards promoting in Sierra Leone the culture of the Japanese people, of which Karate is an integral part.
Delivering a statement, the Japanese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, His Excellency Mochizuki Hisanabu expressed delight to be part of the event describing it as a laudable venture towards promoting the culture of the Japanese people in Sierra Leone.
He expressed his impression with the performances and show of display by the participants of which he said he is looking forward to see more Sierra Leoneans involved in promoting the culture of the Japanese people.
Mochizuki Hisanabu encouraged participants to make good use of the opportunity to showcase their talents adding that he is also looking forward to see them winning gold medals in the future in international tournaments including the Olympic games. He concluded by reaffirming the Embassy’s support.
Master Victor Edward Amara, President of the Sierra Leone Karate Federation, disclosed that the emblem of the Sierra Leone Karate Federation includes the Japanese flag signifying the importance of Japanese culture in the country further underscoring that it teaches discipline and self-defense furthering that the championship is recognized globally as other countries are organizing similar events.
The championship attracted 52 participants ranging from the ages of 7 to 50 and the categories include Kata and Komitay. The referees also took part in a seminar for Kata and Komitay before the athletes competed.
Master Victor Edward Amara expressed his gratitude for the support but also raised concerns about the lack of funding from the Japanese Embassy. One of the key expectations of organizing the championship was to win scholarships for athletes who need coaches and camping equipment, but nothing has been received in terms of support from the Embassy.
It must be noted that karate in Sierra Leone is gaining momentum in the country and the NOC has pledged to put more efforts in popularizing the discipline.
Worthy of note is that the success of karate in Sierra Leone is evident as the country has won nine gold medals with no full support from the Government or other organizations.
What is expected is that the newly-elected Executive Board of the Sierra Leone Karate Federation hopes to change that narrative and make karate a more prominent sport in the country. Quite interestingly, the President of Sierra Leone has even invited the karate team to a dinner to celebrate their success.
Climaxing the ceremony was the presentation of medals to the lucky winners and certificates to all the participants by the Japanese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, His Excellency Mochizuki Hisanabu and other dignitaries present at the ceremony.
