The National Inter-Counties Karate Championships is slated for 7th to 9th this month in Kakamega with 24 clubs confirming their participation.
The Captain of the Kakamega Karate Club, Christopher Ouma said Kakamega will present two teams, the Kakamega County Karate Club and Masinde Muliro University Karate Club.
He said Kenya Police and the Kenya Prisons Services are some of the clubs that will offer a big challenge, noting that players in Kakamega County are prepared, fit and have high morale.
It is the first time that Kakamega will play host to the tournament.
The Western Region Karate Chairman, Wilson Mutende, appealed to residents to turn-up in large numbers to cheer and witness Karate championships in Kakamega.
He appealed to the County Government and willing partners to support in the preparations of the championships for it to be a success.
A 68-year-old Karate enthusiast, Alexander George Mulama, who is also a Karate instructor said he hopes Kenya will adopt international practice of aged Karate where the elderly people have their categories for participation.
“In Kenya once you reach 40 years, you are not allowed to participate, unlike in the international scene where we have an age tournament that allows those above 40 years to participate,” he added.
He said in Kenya, a person will retire from participating in tournaments once they clock 40 years, which he did, before becoming an instructor in the game.
“I encourage youth to play Karate as it coordinates mind and body and for physical fitness. One develops a high level of discipline,” he noted.
By Purity Simiyu and Moses Wekesa
