Referee Tasks Kickboxers On International Standard

An international
kickboxing referee, Wilson Okon, has charged technical officials of the sport in Nigeria to draw up standard programmes that would conform with international requirements.
Okon told newsmen in Lagos, that training athletes with current international rules and regulations would improve their skills in readiness for national and international competitions.
He said kickboxers must be in tune with current rules, but they cannot be acquainted with the new rules without the assistance of their trainers.
“The coaches and referees must make extra effort to have thorough knowledge of the current requirements to put them in better position to upgrade their athletes,” he said. According to Okon, the sport offers eight different styles as directed by the World Association of kickboxing organization.
“They are semi-contact, light-contact, full-contact, kick-light, low-kick, KI-style, aero kickboxing and musical forms.
“Athletes well grounded in these styles stand better chance of competing favorably with their international counterparts in competitions.
“There are ways that athletes are expected to display their skills in these styles. It is a requirement, so our athletes must not be found wanting,” he said. Okon noted that when athletes were not provided with adequate training, it would affect their confidence and performance at international championships.
“Lack of good adequate training and poor equipment contribute immensely to athletes’ poor showings in international competitions”, he said.