Lagos To host Korean Ambassador's International Taekwondo Championship

The yearly Korean Ambassador's West Africa Taekwondo Team Championships will return to Lagos State after four years as the epic tournament is scheduled for Monday, ninth through Wednesday, 11th of September, 2013.

  

In a statement issued by the organisers, Nigeria Taekwondo Black Belt College (NTBBC) and the Korean Cultural Centre Nigeria, over nine teams from West African sub region are expected to be part of the three-day tournament holding at Teslim Balogun Stadium.

 

The champion, which is sponsored by the Embassy of the Republic of South Korea will be supported by LG Electronics and sanctioned by the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF) will have teams across the country competing in the male and female events.

 

According to NTF President, George Ashiru, "this is the first time since 1986 that Team fighting event has been held in Nigeria. Also this is the first time ever we are having the creative poomsae and the special skills (kyokpa or breaking)."

 

He added: "Tournaments are the life of Taekwondo, and we are thankful that the Korean Government continues to be pro-active in ensuring we have more tournament. We are hopeful that indigenious corporate organizations and governmental bodies, looking for vibrant events to invest in would take full advantage of our current momentum, and partner with us for our many up-coming creative programs/events."

 

On the return to Lagos, Ashiru said: "The championships actually return to Lagos from where it started in 1988 but taken to Abuja four years ago. It was usually held at the National Stadium, but the Organising Committee awarded it to Lagos State Taekwondo Association because of its good record in hosting the National Sports Festival.

 

To make this year's tournament more colourful, Kukkiwon Demonstration team from South Korea is expected to be part of the competition.

  

Lagos State Taekwondo Association will host the tournament while registrations for the competition is free for willing teams hoping to be part of it.

  

Meanwhile, each team is expected to present three athletes with two additional players as reserve, while the matches would be decided on the basis of two (2) rounds of five (5) minutes per round with 30 seconds rest.

 

Also, each player in the team shall be entitled to one (1) minute per round, while winner shall be decided by the sum total of scores made in the entire two (2) rounds and by each player.