NAN-S-12
Enlightenment
By Millicent Ifeanyihukwu
Lagos, June 14, 2017 (NAN) A Lagos-based taekwondo coach, Tochukwu Ayakora, on Wednesday called for more enlightenment for spectators on the rules and regulations guiding award of scores in combat sports.
Ayakora told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the guideline should be made part of addresses at venues before commencement of competitions.
NAN reports that combat sports include taekwondo, kick boxing, karate, wushu kungfu, boxing, judo, wrestling (Greco-Roman) and wrestling (freestyle).
In the sports, winning depends on the particular contest’s rules.
A contestant wins by scoring more points than the opponent or by disabling the opponent.
“There are significant technicalities that judges always look out for in a fight, which determine scores that athletes acquire.
“This is, sometimes, contrary to what spectators see.
“The issues of protest and crisis on who wins or loses in competitions are as a result of ignorance on fighting rules, especially on the part of spectators.
“In order to provide a lasting solution to this unpleasant situation which sometimes interrupts interesting competition, spectators must be educated on what to look out for.
“When everybody is fully aware of the kind of punches and kicks that can attract a point, officiating will be justified and the competition hitch-free,’’ Ayakora said.
The coach recommended that the measure should be replicated in combat sports across the country to further promote peace and harmony among stakeholders and spectators of the sports.
“As a way of carrying spectators along on development as it comes, everybody should be carried along by educating him or her on the latest in competition venues,’’ he added.
According to him, rules of the sports are dynamic because of developments from their international bodies which various combat federations in the country are affiliated to. (NAN)
MIL/ENN/IGO
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(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Ijeoma Popoola)