An international
taekwondo referee, Emmanuel Oghenejobo, has said that the forthcoming national taekwondo trials holding in Lagos from April 23 to April 25 would be highly competitive.
Oghenejobo told newsmen that the championships tagged “Taekwondo Classics” would serve as trials for the All Africa Games slated for Congo Brazzaville in September.
The trials, organised by the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF) and hosted by Lagos State government would hold at the Molade Okoya Thomas Sports Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
He said that opportunities would be thrown open for national athletes of various categories to exhibit their skills, while they are expected to fight in conformity with current principles.
“The championships is going to be highly competitive. I am envisaging upsets and that is why I am advising participants, especially current national championships to be ready.
“The quality of upcoming taekwondo athletes we have now is something that calls for worry for current championships, and I am optimistic that we will get the best in this competition.
“As part of effort to ensure that athletes are familiar with the trends, the electronic scoring system will be used, because that is what is obtainable in international competitions,’’ Oghenejobo said.
According to him, the NTF has concluded arrangements to make use of the service of only seasoned international referees to officiate the event, adding that it is to meet international standard.
The ex-international taekwondo athlete applauded the NTF for the initiative of the trials, adding that such step would provide a fair platform to select competent athletes for international competitions.
“This is transparency to the core, everybody comes to show his or her skill and once he or she meets the set standard and endorsed by officiating referees, it’s final.
“The good thing about it is that there is no room for favouritism, the scoring system is clearly there to score athletes, according to his or her performance during contest,’’ he added.
He expressed confidence that the trials would help the body to identify worthy athletes that would feature at the Games to win laurels for the nation.