By Oscar Pilipili

The Kenya Karate Federation (KKF) will expand its tentacles to remote parts of Western, Coast and North Eastern parts of the country.

The KKF Chairman Sensei Caleb Atemi told FeverPitch that some regions had been neglected sports-wise, while others that had great potential remained unexploited.

The chairman spoke to the media after officiating at the grading of junior karatekas at Mumias Sports Complex.

"We have seen great and promising karate from Kakemer Mixed Boys and Girls Boarding school from Teso,"he said.

"This is where future champions will come from. In fact I have already identified potential members of the national team," said Sensei Bon Owiti the national karate coach during the grading for junior athletes from North Teso.

Abubarak Abdulkarim (left) and Joshua Masila in past action. Photo: Jonah Nyango/Standard

Mobilising institutions

The children’s training is overseen by their local sponsorship manager Calette Asiyo. Asiyo said she was keen in using her Spanish contacts to help karate grow in Western Kenya and eventually in the whole country.

"It is my desire to see karate expand especially among children in schools and institutions. The Spanish National karate coach has been very helpful and he is mobilising other institutions in Spain where the sport is very advanced to help us here in Teso," said Asiyo.

Atemi said he would liaise with the Spanish coach in organising Malindi International Karate Clubs Championships slated for March.

Spain, he said, should be able to send several teams and also help with mobilising international sponsorships.

Atemi said that western Kenya had benefited greatly from sponsorship from the Spain and Kisumu Town Member of Parliament Shakeel Shabir.

"These two individuals have greatly shaped the growth of karate in Western Kenya. We hope bigger players such as Mumias Sugar will join them in In 2011," said Atemi.

Main sponsor

Shabir was the main sponsor of the November 27 and 28, Inter Clubs Championship held in Kisumu City.

Atemi said his biggest ambition is to launch various martial arts academies countrywide and to officially inculcate karate into the school curriculum.

"The Teso grading of 29 junior members is a step in the right direction for KKF. We are now moulding real world champions," he said.

Meanwhile, KKF have planned a major fundraiser to be presided over by its patron Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka.

The purpose of the function that will be held early next month is to raise money towards the Malindi International Clubs Championship.

"We’ve come up with various ways of raising funds among them fundraising, publishing a special karate souvenir magazine and direct corporate sponsorship," said Atemi.

The KKF chairman said that the patron of the KKF Vice President Musyoka was at the forefront in fighting the drug abuse menace in Kenya and karate was a perfect vehicle to use.