NAN-S-3
Athletes
By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
Lagos, Oct. 17, 2017 (NAN) George Ashiru, the immediate past President of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF) has commended the organisers of National Poomsae PTCAN Taekwondo Classics for the laudable steps taken to honour deceased taekwondo athletes.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the one-day National PITCAN Taekwondo Classics was held on Sunday in the Knock-Up Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos.
Ahiru told NAN that he was impressed with Ferguson Oluigbo, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the Classics and Emmanuel Oghenejobo, an Olympian for pioneering the remarkable event.
“I must express that it was a good step in the right direction, by Oluigbo and Oghenejobo, for coming up with the initiative to organise such an event to remember departed members.
“Although we do not pray to lose our members in order to organise such events, but it’s a way to show that their contributions cannot be forgotten in a hurry,’’ he said.
He added that the event had created an enabling environment for taekwondo athletes in the country to identify with heroes such as Adamu Buba, a former national coach.
“Others were Grand Master Gibson Ogbonna, Kwame Chukwurerije a former international champion, Yusuf Yaya, former Oyo State Coach, and Efeoghene Obukohwo who recently passed on.
“The turnout is impressive, we have representatives from about 20 states even the young athletes that have taken part in the championships have known that taekwondo is one big family,’’ he said.
Meanwhile Oghenejobo, member of the LOC, told NAN that certificates of participation were presented to the 120 athletes, from various clubs and states that took part in the event.
He told NAN that plans were in progress to make it an annual event, while the LOC would review the events to ensure improvement in subsequent editions.
“In spite of the fact that no prize money was attached to the event, we still recorded such large turnout, it’s really encouraging and we hope to do better subsequently,’’ he said.
Esther Efeoghene, younger sister to late Obukohwo who was at the event told NAN that she was amazed at the recognition that was accorded to her late brother who died in August.
Efeoghene said she was happy that her brother was still being remembered for his legacy, but that she and other family members would have been happier if he was celebrated alive.
She, however, expressed her gratitude to the LOC for going the extra-mile to organise the events, whereby the championships banner had posters of late Obukohwo displayed at the venue.
“I don’t have much to say, but just to thank the organisers of this event; I didn’t know they value my brother like this, see his poster everywhere.
“Its rather unfortunate that he is being celebrated in death, he was a nice caring fellow that if he was alive today, my mum and siblings will be here and happy,’’ he said.
NAN reports that the championships was officiated by national referees headed by Collins Chinedu-Rockson, the only Nigerian certified World Taekwondo international Poomsae referee. (NAN)
MIL/ERO/PDE
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(Edited by Emmanuel Okara/Peter Ejiofor)