TAEKWONDO: 101 COACHES FROM NIGERIA, AFRICA STORM ABUJA FOR INTERNATIONAL COACHING TRAINING
By Betty Akota
Already, registration has been shut down, and no fewer than 101 coaches from parts of Nigeria and African has clocked in ahead of an international coaching training in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
As at the time of pending down this update, some of them have started trooping in.
Aside Nigerian coaches who are desirous of World Taekwondo (WT) global officiating status, others from Cameroon, Togo, Ghana, Chad, Mali, etc have been enrolled.
As from Wednesday, December 11, 2019, the international wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe airport has been agog with visitors, courtesy of the upcoming programme slated inside the VIP hall of MKO Abiola National stadium, package A, Abuja between December 15 and 16.
Giving more update, the Technical Director of Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF), Engr. Chika Chukwumerije who is an Olympic medallist said, “The WT gave us a target of 50 coaches for the training to hold, but that has been surpassed with the registration of 101. Many are eager to attain international status which confers a lot of advantage.
“Cameroun has arrived via ASKY Airlines and Benin Republic went by road to Lagos and is en route to Abuja via Dana Airlines. Mali, Ghana and Togo are en route by road. They will arrive tomorrow. Most coaches wanted to come early to also watch the Best of the Best TKD Championship.
“If you have the time, we will be grateful that you support our hard work and diligence with your presence. If not, no worries. Thank you for your well wishes and warm thoughts.”
Just before the coaching expose, the federation has also concluded arrangement to host Best of the Best Taekwondo competition for top five-ranked athletes, an event which also provide ample opportunity for their assessment ahead of 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The event is slated to happen between December 12 and 14, 2019.
At the moment, requisite registration and weigh-in are being concluded with the fight days scheduled for Friday and Saturday inside the velodrome, MKO Abiola National stadium.
Taekwondo is among the sports which Nigeria is expected to compete for at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The two events taking place in December will make it a total of 26 programmes which the current NTF leadership led by Mrs Margret Elizabeth Binga have embarked on within 26 months since inauguration in 2017