As the 22nd National Sports Festival gathers momentum in Ogun State, experienced Karateka Patience Elisha Offiong has declared her readiness to lead Team Akwa Ibom’s Karate squad in their quest for medals.
Offiong, a bronze medalist from the last edition of the festival, is among ten Karate athletes representing Akwa Ibom—five male and five female—competing under the guidance of Coach Nsikak Peter John (Sensei) and Team Secretary Samuel Ettentuk.
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With the Karate events set to kick off today at the Civic Centre in Ikenne, Offiong, speaking ahead of her bouts, expressed her commitment to playing a leadership role in the team.
> “I hope that this year I will be able to share my experience and encourage my team to win medals,” Offiong said.
The determined athlete also revealed that her path into martial arts was shaped by a journey through multiple sports, including track and field and weightlifting, before finding her true passion in Karate.
> “I have done so many sports. I started from track and field to Weightlifting to Karate. The stay was because I have passion for sports,” she explained.
Despite being firmly focused on her Karate career, Offiong remains open to new sporting experiences.
> “I am in Karate but will not reject the opportunity to try another sport,” she added.
Fueling her ambition at the festival is the desire to make her biggest supporter proud.
> “My father has been my biggest supporter. I want to make him proud by winning a medal at the National Sports Festival here in Ogun State,” she said with emotion.
With the weigh-in completed on Thursday, the stage is now set for intense action. Team Akwa Ibom will aim to surpass their previous outing, where they secured two bronze medals in Karate. All eyes will be on Offiong and her teammates as they step onto the mat, carrying not just personal dreams but the hopes of an entire state.
Karate events begin today, Friday, May 23, at the Civic Centre in Ikenne.
