NAN-S-3
Referee
By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
Lagos, Aug. 1, 2017 (NAN) An international taekwondo referee, Thursdaline Peter, has urged the country’s female referees to utilise the opportunity of World Taekwondo (WT) referees seminars to upgrade their technical knowledge.
Peter told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos that such short courses would increase their chances of enjoying benefits from the Korea-based WT, the sport’s governing body.
She said that only 26 female and 74 male referees that participated in the WT International Referees Course held in Cote’d’vior in November 2016.
“There is need for our female national referees to improve on their current position by participating in international courses and get acquainted with extant officiating rules and other developments.
“It is also an opening for them to be identified and probably be invited to be part of officiating referees in international championships which is a plus to their career.
“The gap between the male referees and their female counterparts in the refresher course I participated in last year was much, we had 74 males and only 26 females at the programme,’’ she said.
The WT certified referee said that she was invited by the world body to officiate in the 2017 Chuncheon Korea Open International Taekwondo Championships held from July 2 to July 7.
Peter added that she also got an award as the best female referee in the Kyorugi event after her officiating in the 2017 WTF World Taekwondo Championship in Muju, Korea.
“I have always wanted to explore my officiating skill beyond the shores of Nigeria which I think I have started and I am enjoying it based on my little achievements.
“I believe the sky is wide enough to accommodate everybody but my focus is on the females so that we can bridge the gap and forge ahead,’’ she added.
NAN reports that Peter also got an award as the outstanding referee at the 3rd Chika Chukwumerije Sports Foundation (CCSF) championships in Lagos. (NAN)
MIL/NNO/PDE
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(Editing by Peter Ejiofor)