The Technical Director of Malawi Karate Federation, Bahebe Pascal Dogani has asked the government and the populace to regard Karate as a non violent sport.
Bahebe said this on Saturday 29 November 2025 at Chaminade Marianist secondary school in Lilongwe where the school organised a Karate tournament dubbed Pro-Lee Karate championship involving it’s students and other eight clubs in the Central region of Malawi.
Bahebe observed that Many people think that Karate is to shed blood a mentality that needs to be removed.
“There is a need to desensitise the populace to undo the impression that karate is for violence. It is very unfortunate for the government and other stakeholders that they don’t invest more in this sport. You know, Karate disciplines people, is for self defense, makes our bodies strong and health, improves our thinking behaviours during this time where everyone seems glued to their budgets. That’s why this sport is even good for students like those here at Chaminade Marianist,” said Bahebe, who is also Chief Instructor of Malawi Japan Karate Association (JKA).
He has however appealed to the community and the government to support the youths by even going further to have a test study where some instructors would be integrated as a way of giving back to the community a thing which can be used to unearth talent.
Speaking to Radio Alinafe, one of the form 1 student participant who won a bronze medal in the girls category under the age of 13, Tamandani Masanza thanked the introduction of the sport in the school saying it helps her concentrate in school, being disciplined and stay healthy.
” I love Karate because the cutters help me to get organized and stay health. In the past I used to lose many things because I wasn’t putting myself in order. I am a changed person. If all the schools had this sport, the youths would change the world,” said Tamandani Masanza.
Tamandani added that the sport will positively impact their attitude and behavioural change as students in the school.
In his remarks, Brother Malesi Jude who is the Karate instructor at Chaminade Marianist secondary school who also organized the tournament thanked all the participants for showing up and spicing the event.
“I am very thankful to the Karate family in the Central region and Malawi as a whole for gracing this event. It is good to have such sport in schools if we have to have well disciplined students who can study without any problems. S a school we believe in discipline and therefore whatever instills discipline among students shall be prioritized,” said Brother Malesi.
During the tournament several people won different gold, silver and bronze medals in Cutter and Kumite competitions for both boys and girls from the school and other eight clubs in the Central region according to their age groups.
By Alex Nasoni
