Kakamega county is set to host this year’s National Inter-Counties Karate Championships slated for October 7 to 9 this year.
The competition will take place at the Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.
This will be the first time ever for Kakamega to host the competition which will bring together more than 12 nations in a clash for medals for the various stages of the karate games.
The Karate Federation secretary general in charge of the Western region Christopher Ouma said Kakamega will present two teams to take part in the competition — the Kakamega county Karate club and the MMUST Karate team.
While appealing to sponsors for support in preparing for the tournament, Ouma who also doubles as the Kakamega Karate Club coach said preparations for the completion are in top gear.
“We are in need of about Sh500,000 so that we are able to prepare the teams for the tournament effectively but as a regional office, we are doing all we can to prepare the teams with the little we have. But we will need all the support we can get,” Ouma said.
The Kakamega Karate club took part in the inter-counties tournament of 2018 which was held in Nakuru during which the ladies' team came third, while the men’s team managed to reach the semis.
The MMUST Karate team captain Hillary Odira said they were up to the challenge, even as they prepare to face off with more experienced competitors.
In their most recent bout, the club scooped six medals at a match held at the Kibabii University.
The club also came second earlier this year during the Kenya University Sports Association games at Maseno University.
“We are ready to grab those medals because we have been practising for the tournament for quite some time now,” Odira said.
(edited by Amol Awuor)
