June 11, 2018

Dave Jegede, Technical Director, Karate Federation of Nigeria (KFN), has urged parents to allow their kids to go into karate to fight drugs in the society.

Jegede told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Port Harcourt that youths participating in karate did not engage in illegal drug use.

“We all know that the in-thing for youths now is drugs, and if you investigate the population that practice karate, they do not do drugs.

“The reason is, by the time you go through the rudiments and discipline of practicing karate, you will not find yourself doing drug,’’ he said.

According to Jegede, parents can allow their kids to start training at tender age to grow with the discipline and integrity of the combat sport.

“At two years, my child has started karate training because the idiosyncrasy starts from that time, so there is no particular limit to it,’’ he added.

The technical director called on corporate organisations to sponsor martial art as government alone could not sponsor combat sport to break even.

“The problem we have with karate, judo, taekwondo etc. is funding, and if corporate organisations and philanthropists can intervene, we will get the right results.

“The opportunities open to the Nigerian youths are quite enormous, and if we have the means to groom them, expose them and allow them to have regular competitions, they will do wonders in the future,’’ he said.

Jegede disclosed that the federation was expecting the Japanese Ambassador’s Cup and Black Belt College competitions to hold this year.