Kenya Karate Federation unveils provisional squad for Commonwealth event in South Africa
By Shadrack Andenga, October 16, 2024
Kenya Karate Federation (KKF) has selected 16 athletes to a provisional squad that will commence preparations for the 11th Commonwealth Karate Championships, set to take place from November 28 to December 1 this year.
Speaking in Nairobi on Monday after concluding a one-day tryout on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at Thika Salvation Army in Kiambu County, newly elected federation president Richard Binga expressed his intention to grow karate from the grassroots level and make the sport popular and accessible to all.
“We are new in office, and our aim is to spread the gospel of karate nationwide, even in remote areas. We have high hopes for the provisional squad that will begin preparations soon. So far, they are the best that our coaches have selected, and we hope they will bring back gold medals for Kenya,” stated Binga.
KKF named ‘Shihan’ Bakari Yusuf and ‘Sensei’ Stephen Mapale as coaches for the men’s and women’s teams, respectively. Together with a panel of other coaches, they selected karatekas in the Kumite, Kata and Under-21 categories.
James Mwangi Gikonyo and Mercy Wambui from Maji House will join Daniel Vaati and Georgina Kanini, both from the Japan Karate Association (JKA), in the Kata category.