Karate South Africa President Honors Silas Agara, Strengthens Ties

By Arinzechi Chukwunonso

In a landmark event aimed at deepening karate development and cooperation across Africa, the President of Karate South Africa and the Commonwealth Karate Federation, Hanshi Sonny Pillay, has conferred a prestigious honor on Honourable Silas Agara, President of the Nigerian Karate Federation, in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the sport in Nigeria and the continent.
The ceremony coincided with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Nigerian Karate Federation and Karate South Africa, establishing a framework for technical partnerships, athlete exchange programs, and joint developmental initiatives.

Hanshi Pillay praised Agara for his visionary leadership, particularly highlighting the successful hosting of the Africa UFAC Championships 2035 in Abuja, which he described as a landmark event for African karate.
“I see a very senior position for a gentleman like President Silas, who has done a magnificent job in taking karate in Nigeria to the next level through the activities he has been promoting,” Pillay said.
“The recent Africa UFAC Championships in Abuja will remain etched in our memories for generations to come because of its world-class standard.”
Pillay further inducted Agara into the Commonwealth Karate Organization and invited him to assume a leadership role within Commonwealth Africa, a step he described as crucial to advancing karate within the Commonwealth and achieving global recognition for African athletes.

Responding to the conferment and the signing of the MoU, Honourable Silas Agara expressed gratitude and optimism, calling the partnership a major breakthrough for Nigerian karate.
“In South Africa today, we just signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the South African Karate Federation and the Nigeria Karate Federation, which will enhance technical partnership and sharpen the skills of our technical officials here in Nigeria,” Agara said.

“With this relationship, there will be technical collaboration, exchange of personnel, and opportunities for Nigerian athletes to train and compete in South Africa. Likewise, South African experts will visit Nigeria to help build our technical capacity.”
Agara emphasized that the partnership represents a turning point for karate in Nigeria, noting that it will create greater exposure for athletes and ensure international standards in officiating and technical development.
“I am grateful for this visit, and I look forward to implementing this MoU to the glory of both countries,” he added.

Hanshi Pillay also urged Nigeria to prepare for key upcoming events, including the Commonwealth Africa Karate Championships in January in Accra, Ghana, and the Commonwealth Karate Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, in 2026, which will follow the Commonwealth Games.
“Our mandate is to ensure karate becomes a recognized Commonwealth Games sport,” Pillay reiterated. “With the support of leaders like President Silas and the Nigerian Karate Federation, this goal is within reach.”
Pillay underscored the Commonwealth Karate Federation’s mission to include karate in the official Commonwealth Games program, describing Nigeria’s involvement as pivotal to this ambition.