Osogbo To Host Taekwondo Championships

The Pan Africa Martial Art International (PANAMAI), a Lagos-based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has said  that its 2013 tournament would be co-hosted by the Osun State government between August 19 and August 25 in Osogbo.

The president of PANAMAI, Ferguson Oluigbo,  told Tidesports in Lagos that Osogbo was chosen to give opportunity to people in the state to exhibit their taekwondo skills.

“I realised that many athletes outside Lagos are interested in the championships but the distance between their states and Lagos made it impossible for them to participate in them.

“The annual competition had always held in Lagos since inception but last year, we decided to move it to Owerri.

“The huge success we recorded in Owerri compelled us to choose Oshogbo too.

“The development opens opportunity to nearby states to participate in the competition, and I believe it will continue like this for our goals to be realised,’’ he said.

Oluigbo said the championships aimed to discover, develop, promote, manage and advance the career of taekwondoists.

According to him, the competition will be for U-12, U-16 and adult categories.

He said eight weight categories for both males and females in each of the age-groups would be featured in the tournament.

Oluigbo, also the President, Nigeria Taekwondo Referees Association, said the Osun government’s sponsorship of the tournament was a way of encouraging the athletes and creating publicity for the sport.

He said that cash prizes would be awarded to medalists to encourage athletes. (NAN)