This archive report was first published on 8 November 2019.
Get ready for an exciting showdown in Kilifi County as 50 clubs prepare to battle it out in the National Clubs Karate Championship. The tournament is set to take place at the Watamu Sports Centre from Saturday to Sunday.
The Kilifi County Karate Association (KCKA) has confirmed that over 200 competitors from across the country will be participating in the event. According to KCKA chairman Anderson Katana Shilingi, every club has trained hard to emerge victorious, making this year's tournament particularly competitive.
Shilingi expressed his gratitude to the Kenya Karate Federation (KKF) national office for giving KCKA the opportunity to organize the 2019 national championship. He also thanked the main sponsor, Colonel Bebora, as well as other sponsors, including Turtle Bay, Garoda Resort, Tample Point Resort, and Jacaranda Resort, for their support.
Shilingi also commended the area MP Owen Baya and former MP Gideon Mung'aro for their help in making the event a success. Among the participating clubs are defending men's Kata and Kumite champions NSSF and women's Kata and Kumite title holders Muli Children's Home.
Other participating clubs include Kenya Prisons, Administration Police, Kenya Police, Mount Kenya University (Thika), Menengai KC (Nakuru), Egerton University (Nakuru), Kenyatta University (Nairobi), Masinde Muliro University (Western Region), Maji (Murang'a), Watamu Sports Centre, Malindi Force in Action, Kilifi KC, and Tononoka KC.
Shilingi encouraged karate fans in Kilifi County, especially the youth, to attend the event in large numbers, as they may be inspired to take up the sport. He also expressed hope that many tourists will be present to watch Kenyans perform.
According to Shilingi, all arrangements have been completed, and the organizers are now waiting for the tournament to begin.
