Over five hundred karatekas drawn from 36 states and Abuja would converge in Ilorin, Kwara State for the maiden edition of the Pillar of Sports, National Men and Women Open Karate Championship holding from March 26 to 29.

Sponsor of the tournament, Donatus Agu- Ejidike, said the championship was floated to keep the athletes busy as well as fulfill his campaign promises to organise championships regularly basis.

"I discovered that our athletes are not getting the desired exposure which they are supposed to get from participating in regular tournaments and I have plans to change that system," Agu-Ejidike said.

The philanthropist, who is also the President of Nigeria Karate Federation, noted that the event would help to unite karate stakeholders together even as he stated that the tournament would be used to prepare athletes adequately for the forthcoming National Sports Festival holding in Cross Rivers State later in the year.

Events to be competed for include Individual Kata for male and female, Team Kata for male and female and male and female Kumite while men will compete in -60kg,-67kg,-75kg,-84kg and+84kg, women will fight it out in- 50kg, -55kg,-61kg, -68kg and+68kg.