By Ochiaka Ugwu
Taekwondo Coaches have commended Korean Cultural Centre, Nigeria for promoting and improving Taekwondo culture and skills in Nigeria.
This was communicated through the trio of Grand Master Domnic Bassey, number one coach in Nigerian Taekwondo, Coach Gbolohan Ogunmuyiwa, Head Coach of KCCN Taekwondo Department and Peter Awodi, Head Coach of Nigeria Police Taekwondo during the 4th KCC-Nigeria Taekwondo Coaches Seminar with the theme: 21st Century Approaches to Taekwondo Coaching: “Assessing the Past 50 Years for the Next 50 Years” held at KCCN Taekwondo Training Centre, Abuja between 18 to 19 April 2024.
Speaking during the event, Grand Master, Domnic Bassey, the number one in Nigerian Taekwondo who is 74 years old was full praises for KCCN for their strong support and encouragement to improving Taekwondo culture in Nigeria.
“The way Korean Cultural Centre is supporting Taekwondo is beautiful. Systematically bringing them up with the understanding of the art. They have both sport and combat Taekwando. Combat is self-defense which is no joke while sport of it is about competition” he said.
Speaking also, Coach Gbolohan Ogunmuyiwa who informed the seminar is done every year as an opportunity to bring all Taekwondo professionals together especially coaches, thanked KCCN for promoting Taekwondo and even expending it to the grassroots.
“Korea Embassy sponsors this seminar every year and Korean Ambassador Cup is sponsored by the Embassy. Every year, KCCN giveS out equipment and training materials to clubs. They have adopted secondary Schools in Nigeria and sponsoring them. We train them on the rudiment of Taekwondo culture. KCCN sponsors coaches to train Taekwondo in those schools. KCCN has up to 12 schools managed in Abuja and it will soon enter Kano and Port Harcourt. The Embassy is really contributing to the development of Taekwondo in Nigeria”.
According to him, “We go beyond training and learning, but to unite and blend more among ourselves. We also use it to know those who are coming into the system and understand the hierarchy. We also rectify seniority issue. All the coaches will bring out their experience for all to learn and develop our knowledge of the art.
“The seminar serves as an avenue to bring down information on Taekwondo development to all members. This year’s edition is a special one because we are flagging off the 50th anniversary of Taekwondo in Nigeria. It came to Nigeria in 1974 and this is the first event to flag off the celebration. It is going to be a yearlong event, between now and March next year.
“Taekwondo has not fared bad as we have achieved tremendously. We have been to Olympics for couple of times. We won silver at Barcelona 92 and another one through Chika Chukwumerije. Again, Nigerian coaches and instructors have done well globally and still distinguishing themselves up till now.
“The programme is meant to look back and also project for the future. Stakeholders will take stock on how we have fared over time and come out with recommendations on how to move Taekwondo forward in Nigeria. Taekwando is a very disciplined sports where you are coached both in character and learning and can never be for intimidation” he concluded.
Head Coach Nigeria Police Taekwondo, Peter Awodi who said the Taekwondo is still developing from strength to strength since 1974 saying that Korean Embassy has been spending their money and bring coaches from Korea to train them on Taekwondo’s new techniques.
“We went to All African Games in 1987 and we came best, even as young as Nigerian Taekwondo was. We came first in Taekwondo, three Golds, three Silvers and two Bronzes. All credits to Korean Embassy” he stated
