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), marking a major milestone for Nigeria’s growing influence in continental sports administration.
Agara emerged victorious during the UFAK General Assembly held in Abuja, defeating his Congolese opponent, Mr. Freddy Kombo, by 20 votes to 11 in a closely contested election.
The event drew karate delegates from across Africa and was graced by the President of the World Karate Federation (WKF), Antonio Espinós, underscoring the international importance of the gathering.
Reacting to his election, Agara dedicated the victory to Nigeria and the wider West African region, describing the win as an opportunity to foster the development of karate across the continent.
Agara also pledged to continue working closely with the Nigeria Sports Commission and other stakeholders to expand grassroots karate initiatives and align sporting activities with national development goals.
He said: “One’s record should speak for itself. What you have accomplished should be your ticket to office. So, I simply presented what we’ve achieved in Nigeria and allowed the delegates to decide based on that.
“This is a victory for Nigeria, a victory for the entire Karate Council of Nigeria, and a proud moment for West Africa. But more importantly, it is a call to action, to do more, to advance the development of sports—not just karate—and to create greater opportunities for our youth through the sport.”
He also threw his support behind the leadership of the Nigeria Sports Commission, adding that, “I believe we must support Shehu Dikko to take sports to a higher level in this country.”
On the ongoing 2025 African Karate Championship, which runs from July 21 to 28 in Abuja, Agara expressed optimism about the tournament’s impact and competitiveness.
He noted the presence of strong contingents from top karate nations like Morocco and Egypt, who arrived with highly ranked athletes.
He added, “Morocco came with ten world-class athletes, and Egypt brought five top-ranked numbers. The level of competition is elite; there are no underdogs. This championship is a defining moment for African karate.”