In 2022, I wrote from the heart of Africa, Nairobi Kenya to the HDKI Chief Technical Director Scott Langley. We had just hosted Vincent van de Venter, Sensei from HDKI Mauritius; a brief eye-opening encounter that spread before us, the great potential the world has for those of us in Africa, who love Karate.
I had for years made: the growing of Karate in Africa, my business. It had been a frustrating journey, filled with hope and many misses of unrealized dreams. Yet I chose to focus on hope. I registered a Martial Arts Company, Taikan Martial Arts Limited which operates under the umbrella of Taikan Africa. It is my dream, hope and desire that through Taikan Africa, with other global partners, we can turn Kenya into the melting pot of the best of the best Karate in in the world.
In 2009, I was elected President of the Kenya Karate Federation (KKF). With a small team of enthusiastic leaders, we raised from the ashes the sport of Karate and placed the Kenyan team on the global map.
The federation being a political entity was soon highjacked by negative forces. I stepped down in 2015. I was thereafter elected President of the World Authority Traditional Karate Association (WATKA), which promotes Shotokan Karate. I served for two years then resigned to focus on Taikan Africa.
I intended to grow Karate as:
In 2020, I was appointed President of the Japan Karate Association-Kenya. However, I remained restless until I met Sensei Vincent and we spoke about HDKI.
It was when through invitation from Taikan Africa, Scott visited Kenya for the first time in October 2023. Therein began the journey to turn Kenya into the HDKI African Centre of Excellence.
We have since hosted a host of HDKI instructors, to imbibe and learn from them while they enjoy the best Kenya has to offer in form of; culture, hospitality and natural resources. Soon, we shall be taking them around the country to enjoy the sights and sounds and expose them to the BIG FIVE: the Elephant; the Lion; the Leopard; the Buffalo and Rhinoceros. We cherish enjoying Karate on some of our best beaches along the Indian Ocean.
The ultimate dream is to have the biggest gathering of the best Karate in world under HDKI, taking place on the Kenyan soil every year.
Our CEO Goodric Musoga has been coordinating these visits.
— Caleb Atemi
Chairman, Taikan Africa
