I started Karate Open for girls for self-defence against rape, domestic violence – Saleh

Founder of the Zainab Saleh International Female Open Karate Championship, Zainab Saleh, talks about her journey in karate, empowering women through the sport, and her aspirations for the future in this interview with PETER AKINBO

How did you get involved in karate?

I was originally a karate practitioner when I was younger. I started with many other sports before I settled on karate and I still do karate today.

Why didn’t you go into sports fully as an athlete?

I did. However, I stopped competing as an athlete many years ago. After my career, I moved to refereeing and judging. I’m now a World Karate Federation judge and an African Karate Federation referee.

How did your parents view your interest in combat sports, and how did society view it when you started the championship?

When I told my father I wanted to practice karate, he simply found a dojo and enrolled both my brother and me. My parents were always encouraging and supportive. As for society’s view when I started the championship – I must emphasise again, that it’s not a business venture for me.

In your younger days, did you ever need to protect yourself with what you had learnt?

Not at all.

How did you get started with organising sports competitions?

It all began about 11 years ago when I was Technical Director of the Lagos State Karate Association. We realised there weren’t any karate events in Nigeria focused solely on women. So we decided to create an exclusively female event, open to practitioners across West Africa and the continent. We thought if we made something just for them, women would come out in large numbers and work harder on their skills. And that’s exactly what happened. Every year, more women join, and we’ve seen tremendous improvement in their technical abilities.

Can you tell us about your journey as an entrepreneur?

The Zainab Saleh International Female Open Karate Championship isn’t a business venture. It’s my way of creating an environment that encourages women to practice karate. With the rising cases of rape and domestic violence in Nigeria and globally, we want women to learn self-defence. Karate builds confidence and teaches women to take control in difficult situations. We’re also using the championship to improve Nigerian karate’s standards. It serves as training for our athletes preparing for World Karate Federation championships, Olympic events, Series A and Premier League competitions. It gives many athletes international exposure they couldn’t otherwise afford.

What challenges did you face when starting, and how did you overcome them?

Getting sponsorship has been the main challenge. It’s a worthy cause, but funding is always difficult. I’ve tackled this by ensuring media involvement in our events to create more awareness.

How do you collaborate with local communities and organisations to promote girls’ participation?

We publicise the championship widely and it’s open to all female practitioners in Nigeria, West Africa and across the continent. As for getting organisations involved, they first need to understand what we’re trying to achieve. Once they grasp our aims and objectives, collaboration usually follows.

What key skills and values do girls develop through your competitions?

Through karate, girls develop so much more than just fighting techniques. They learn discipline, self-defense, perseverance, and mental focus. They build physical strength and fitness. Most importantly, they gain respect for themselves and others, sportsmanship, and real confidence. The change you see in many girls after just a few months of training is remarkable.

How do you ensure inclusivity for girls from disadvantaged backgrounds?

From day one, we’ve kept our fees low – just N500 per category. We can’t let money be a barrier. We’ve also created a supportive atmosphere where every girl feels welcome regardless of her background. We work with local schools to reach girls who might not otherwise have access. Many parents and coaches now understand the importance of what we’re doing and serve as mentors. It’s really about making sure every girl has a chance to participate.

What advice would you give to others passionate about using sports for social impact?

Know exactly what you’re trying to achieve. Do your homework on what’s already out there. Partner with people and organisations who share your vision. Focus not just on sports skills but on building confidence and life skills. Set up ways to measure your impact so you can improve. Use your platform to raise awareness. Stay resilient because it won’t always be easy. Celebrate the achievements of the girls you work with – their stories will inspire others. And keep learning – things are always changing in sports and social impact work.

What are your goals for the future of your organisation?

I want to reach more girls in more communities, both here and internationally. We need to form strategic partnerships to increase our impact. I’m particularly keen on developing leadership programs so girls can become leaders both in karate and in life. Building a supportive community among participants is crucial too. My ultimate goal isn’t just creating athletes. It’s about developing confident, resilient, empowered young women who can achieve their full potential in all aspects of life.