The African Karate Federation (UFAK) celebrated high-profile meetings this past week on the eve of the 2019 UFAK Karate Championships which were held in Gaborone (Botswana). The development of the sport in the continent was showcased at the meetings as the main stakeholders of the discipline in the region demonstrated their intention of playing a key role in the success of the sport against the many challenges ahead. 

The African Karate Federation (UFAK) celebrated high-profile meetings this past week on the eve of the 2019 UFAK Karate Championships which were held in Gaborone (Botswana). The development of the sport in the continent was showcased at the meetings; the main stakeholders of the discipline in the region demonstrated their intention of playing a key role in the success of the sport against the many challenges ahead. 

The gatherings were headed by WKF President Antonio Espinós who also attended the continental championships in Gaborone. Mr Espinós stated the remarkable progress of Karate in the continent and highlighted the growing influence of the sport in Africa. 

“Karate is undoubtedly one of the most popular sports in Africa. The increasing popularity of our discipline in Africa has been established thanks to the impact of our many values, our influence as a promoter of gender equality, and the accessibility of the practise of our sport, among many other reasons. We could attest the growth of African Karate this week here in Gaborone,” said WKF President Antonio Espinós. 

“I would like to thank UFAK and its president Mohamed Tahar Mesbahi for their contribution to the global success of Karate. We are going through troubled times at the moment, but I am sure that with their cooperation, we will be able to prevail,” added Mr Espinós. 

The series of meetings started on Wednesday with the gathering of the UFAK Executive Board. African Karate celebrated its General Assembly on Thursday where the roadmap for the sport in the next years was outlined. Moreover, the Executive Committee gathered with the presidents of the seven UFAK zones. Further to this meeting, it was decided to reduce the zones to five areas. The contribution of the WKF to the support programme of the five zones for 2020 was also discussed while the development activities which were accomplished with the sustenance of the WKF in 2019 were analysed. These activities were considered a big success and in this sense, the work and great contribution of WKF 3rd Vice President Bechir Cherif leading this project was highly praised.  

Additionally, WKF President Antonio Espinós headlined the representation of African Karate meeting Botswana’s Minister of Sport Tshekedi Khama. At the encounter, the representatives of the sport received the support from local authorities as the discipline continues growing in the region. 

Picture: WKF President Antonio Espinós (centre) poses with the representatives of African Karate participating at UFAK General Assembly