Tournament: Athletes’ medical certificates of fitness mandatory, says president
NAN-S-3
Fitness
By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
Lagos, Aug.23, 2017 (NAN) Ferguson Oluigbo, the President of Pan Africa Martial Art International (PANAMAI), says it is mandatory for athletes to provide their current medical certificates of fitness being a major requirement for the tournament.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 15th edition of PANAMAI, an affiliate of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation would hold in the National Stadium, Lagos, from Aug. 24 to Aug. 26.
Oluigbo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos that the purpose was to ascertain that athletes were in good health state to partake in the three-day tournament.
“By the grace of God, since the inception of this tournament, we have not recorded major issues on the part of the athletes, and we want to continue in that direction.
“Part of the reasons, was as a result of making it compulsory for every athlete to bring their updated fitness certificates which we don’t compromise, no matter competition record or status.
“So this year’s edition is another opportunity to know their health status because some of them don’t deem it necessary to check their body state”, he said.
Oluigbo said that medical officials of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) would be on the ground to confirm the certificates of the athletes before endorsing their participation.
He warned that any athlete who failed to comply with the medical requirement as directed would equally be denied the opportunity of taking part in the championships.
“The medical practitioners will verify the certificates and further conduct oral examinations on each athlete which will determine their fate in the championships,” Oluigbo added.
The president, who is also a World Taekwondo certified referee, said that the Electronic Scoring System (ESS) would be used as it is obtainable in standard championships across the globe.
According to him, the championships would feature the U-12, Junior, Senior categories in kyorugi and Poomsae events to be conducted in line with the World Taekwondo competition rules.
He added that countries, states, clubs or teams with 12 entries and above would be permitted to present accomplished and qualified referees. (NAN)
MIL/OSA/MEMO
Edited by Shittu Obassa/Mike Mbonye
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