More than 70 Rwandan karate trainers from across the country and neighboring countries attended a two-day seminar in Kigali led by Ugandan Karate instructor James Opiyo.

Organised by Kigali Elite Sports Academy (KESA) in partnership with the Rwanda Karate Federation (FERWAKA), the seminar was aimed at enhancing their skills and knowledge to foster the growth of karate in the region.

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The event took place from September 27-28 at KESA headquarters in Kicukiro.

Opiyo’s focus was to elevate the quality of karate instruction by equipping trainers with updated techniques and practices that align with international standards.

During the seminar’s opening, Jean Claude Nkurunziza, the head of KESA who also oversees karate associations in Kigali encouraged participants to fully commit to always learning new skills in the discipline.

He emphasized the importance of sharing the acquired knowledge with their students.

"The future of karate in Rwanda depends on our ability to train consistently and elevate the sport to a unified level,” Nkurunziza said.

Elvis Bugingo, President of FERWAKA, lauded KESA’s efforts in advancing karate and urged the trainers to share the new skills with their peers and students.

"Continuous learning is essential for karate’s growth, and events like these play a key role in driving the sport forward," Bugingo noted.

The likes of former Minister of Trade and Industry Jean-Chrysostome Ngabitsinze, national team coach Christian Kamuzinzi, and ISKF Rwanda Deputy Director Geoffrey Bungeri were among participants at the seminar.