The President of the Karate Federation of Nigeria (KFN), Hon. Silas Agara has been elected as the 4th Vice President of the African Karate Federation (UFAK).
Agara’s election marks a significant milestone for Nigeria in continental sports leadership.
The KFN president emerged victorious during the UFAK General Assembly held on Wednesday evening at the Abuja Continental Hotel, defeating his Congolese opponent, Mr. Freddy Kombo, with a vote tally of 20 to 11 in a closely contested election.
The event attracted delegates from across the continent and was graced by the President of the World Karate Federation (WKF), Antonio Espinós, underscoring its significance.
In other elections, incumbent UFAK President Souleymane Gaye was re-elected after defeating Moroccan contender Mohammed Mouktabil.
Bashir Cherish, Saheed Nasri, and Sonny Pillar were elected as 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Vice Presidents, respectively, while Mr. Bertin Dongmo was elected unopposed as Secretary-General.
Speaking after his election, Agara dedicated his victory to Nigeria and the wider West African region, pledging to utilise his new role to promote the growth and development of Karate across the continent.
“This is a victory for Nigeria, for West Africa, and for all karate practitioners in the region,” he stated. “It is a call to action—to do more, to support the development of the sport, and to create more opportunities for our youth through karate.”
Reflecting on his campaign, Agara noted that his achievements in Nigeria contributed to the confidence of the voters.
“I simply presented what we have accomplished back home—our efforts, programmes, and results—and allowed the delegates to decide. I’m pleased they recognised our work and bestowed this honour upon Nigeria.”
Agara also reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with key stakeholders, including the Nigeria Sports Commission, to strengthen grassroots karate and deliver impactful, well-aligned programmes.
“We have always maintained a collaborative relationship with the Sports Commission. We do not run programmes in isolation—we align with national development priorities. With their continued support, we can elevate the standard of karate and other sports in Nigeria,” he said.
Regarding the ongoing African Karate Championship in Abuja, Agara expressed confidence that the event will deliver an impactful continental showdown.
He acknowledged the stiff competition from countries like Morocco and Egypt, who have arrived well-prepared.
“Morocco is represented by ten top-ranked athletes and Egypt has five. The level of competition is world-class—there are no underdogs. This is a defining moment for the growth of sports in Africa,” he added.
No fewer than 1,000 athletes have arrived in Abuja for the 2025 African Karate Championship scheduled to run from 21st to 28th July.
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