Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF) says it introduced Junior Taekwondo championships to develop future practitioners in the country.
NTF Technical Director, Chika Chukwumerije, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday that junior event would featured for the first time in the tournament which kicks off in Abuja on Thursday.
“There is need for our junior practitioners to be recognised and have a place in major competitions like the Korea Ambassador tournament because amongst them are future Commonwealth, Africa and Olympic champions.
“This new board is pulling effort to strike a balance in developing Taekwondo in Nigeria and as part of our achievement, this year’s Korea Ambassador Cup will accommodate junior event,” he said.
He said that the introduction of junior event in the championships supported by South Korea Embassy would strengthen athletes abilities and help them to compete favourably with their peers globally.
The three-time Olympian said that competitions organised at various continental games accommodates all categories which includes junior, adding that this is what is obtainable in the NTF organised Korea Ambassador Cup.
“We are using this tournament to build good foundation for junior athletes, as they need such exposure to fortify their fighting skills ahead of international competitions without fear or intimidation,” he added.
According to him, the championships will afford the junior athletes required platform to have firm understanding of latest technology and fighting rules which will be applied in Nigeria Open in November.
The technical director said the competition would feature over 400 practitioners from Nigeria and part of West Africa as a world class event in the taekwondo community in Nigeria.
NAN reports that the 2018 edition of the annual Korea Ambassador Cup which feature 23 events including 18 Kyorugi in the senior/junior categories and five poomsae events and would end October 18.
