By Ochiaka Ugwu
Korean Cultural Centre in Nigeria (KCCN) strengthened cultural ties with Nigeria by training 66 students in its Summer 2025 KCCN Taekwondo session.
The graduation ceremony held in Abuja Thursday saw 29 students in Batch A with 37 others in Batch B making it a total of 66 graduating in the sport reputed to be growing in Nigeria.
Speaking during the event, KCCN Taekwondo Department Manager and Public Relations Manager, Gwang min Lee who stated that Taekwondo was one of the biggest parts of Korean culture said the program was organised to develop students’ confidence, self-control, leadership and team playing.
He said, “Actually, Taekwondo is one of the biggest parts of our culture, which is Korean culture. It’s not just martial art for children, we also develop their confidence, self-control, leadership and team playing also. We are giving them positive energy by martial arts from Korean culture. “In Lagos, some schools are receiving Taekwondo training. In Abuja, we have eight schools undergoing Taekwondo class and I believe it will be better as we progress.
“We also have in our curriculum the act of discipline that will make them to use their skills for self-defense. The coaches knew the rules and they impart them on the students. I believe they are doing well and of course there are some areas I think we need to develop more than now and we are on the process.
“I believe that Taekwondo culture is growing in Nigeria as more people are showing interest. The coaches are doing more than expected. I’m very proud of our coaches and the students they are teaching.
“We need to keep on supporting the schools with the aim of developing Taekwondo in Nigeria. We have class right now and we need to have more connection with other schools as well. I think in the future, it’ll be better than now” he said.
Also speaking, Head Coach of KCCN Taekwondo Department, Coach Gbolohan Ogunmuyiwa said the graduation ceremony was a round-up for the one-month intensive training for summer 2025 KCCN Taekwondo session.
He said the success achieved was made possible by endurance and teaching skills of the teachers who showed expectational commitment in training the students.
“It is not all about knowing the skills or being a black belter, but your ability to impart it on others by way of coaching. The fact remains that the instructors are children friendly.
“It is a common phenomenon; everybody knows that Taekwondo is spreading like wildfire in Nigeria. It is growing fast with almost all schools incorporating it with Taekwondo instructors. Taekwondo has become a household name in Nigeria.
“KCCN supports Nigerian Taekwondo community every year with the annual Korean Ambassador Cup, annual Coaching Seminar. We also do a lot of events not only in Taekwondo but other areas as well” he noted.
Ogechi Okoro, a civil servant and Taekwondo practitioner said she was influenced by her Taekwondo background and wanted her children to learn the sport for self-defense and exposure.
Okoro who promised to continue engaging her sons in the sport to the best of their ability said that continues encouragement and monitoring would definitely see them use their skill for the right purpose of defending themselves.
“You have to keep encouraging them. Generally, we’re raising kids, you have to keep speaking to them and make them understand that this is strictly for self-defense. A recreation you put your mind and channel your heart to and defend yourself only when the need arises. I believe that learning how to defend yourself is very important for both female and male. It’s crucial” she said.
Okoro appreciated Korean Cultural Centre for offering Nigerians this great opportunity of learning the art under the guardianship of great coaches and instructors who imparted a lot on the students.
