National taekwondo coach, John Victor has disclosed how happy he is to see Nigeria host a major competition in the international calendar, as he says many competitors from the country will benefit from the venture.
Sports247.ng can report that Victor was excited at the start of the first Nigeria Open Taekwondo Championship in Abuja on Friday, saying it has given the host a broader opportunity of exposing its talents.
Victor added that, unlike in times past, Nigerian martial arts men and women have the opportunity of excelling on their home front, then urged them to use the use the tournament to improve their rating.
He disclosed that the competition, sanctioned by World Taekwondo, is a ranking event, from which Nigeria’s team can fight for global points in their bids to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan.
Victor noted further that the event, which also has the backing of the South Korea-based world taekwondo body, has modern equipment from the global authority made available for the three-day championship.
He also praised the officials of Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF) for making the competition become a reality, with attendant gains rolling out for the country in the present dispensation and the near future.
Victor said: “It is our tournament in the country, let us join hands and win it all, and have fun doing it
“Like other countries, our athletes now have a golden opportunity to be ranked at the world taekwondo level.
“So, I would say big kudos to the federation, especially the technical director, Chika Chukwumerije and the chairman of the technical and development committee, Sani Lawal.
“Taekwondo is a martial arts, where the masters influence the students. This is why it is important for them to play this role.
“The practical way out is for masters and instructors to educate athletes on the importance of the tournament.
“I will strongly encourage them that they should do all that they can to help their athletes achieve their goals.”
