‘Nigeria Set To Produce International Referees’

The Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF) says the participation of some Nigerian referees at the recent international referees course will facilitate their officiating in major competition.

The NTF President, Jonathan Nnaji,  told newsmen on Wednesday in Lagos that successful referees who passed the test would be certified to officiate in international competitions.

Thirty Nigerian Taekwondo referees participated in the international course organised by the World Taekwondo Federation held in Abuja from April 17 to April 20.

“This is the opportunity we have been waiting for, and I know that at the end of the day, our referees will be certified as international referees and can now officiate in international competitions.’’

Nnaji said the objective of the course was to update the knowledge of the referees on the latest rules.

“I am certain that a large number of our referees will be successful because they were really committed in the practical and theory classes before the examination proper.’’

According to him, the presence of Nigerian referees in international competitions will encourage athlete’s performance and also protect their interest if officiating is influenced.

Nnaji said that the programme had WTF referees and officials from Egypt and South Korea as the resource persons and had 105 participants from different countries.

He expressed satisfaction with the turnout of Nigerian referees, adding that their success would create an opportunity for them to be included in the WTF referees committee.

The president said that the course had also enriched the Nigerian referees in the use of modern equipment as well as updated their knowledge on current rules of the WTF.