No fewer than 50 budding taekwondo athletes in Enugu State had  been graded by the Enugu State Taekwondo Association following a “Taekwondo Kiddies Classic’’ clinic.
Newsmen report that the budding taekwondoin were graded by state and national taekwondo coaches into milk, white, brown and blue belts.
The Chairman of the association, Ebere Amaraizu, said at the weekend, after the clinic, that the programme was a very gainful “catch-them-young’’ initiative.
Amaraizu, who was represented by Kyrian Igwe, said the grading of the kids, between the ages of six and 16, had provided some raw talents for the association to groom for future competitions.
“With these budding athletes and the association’s commitment to further train them, we are making available,  those that will  represent the state in zonal, national and international taekwondo competitions, even the Olympics.
“We will be giving them adequate training and with the help of their parents, condition the type of food they eat to ensure that they are flexible and their reflexes remain sharp.
“We are grateful to the parents of these budding athletes that believe in taekwondo as a sports, and the ability of the association to nurture them and get them ready for future competitions,’’ he said.
One of the overall best graded kids, Chidubem Ngwu, 14, said that it was not easy becoming the overall best as it took constant practice.
Ngwu, who was graded the best in the Blue belt category, said  he would continue to work hard, and always listen to the instructions of his coach.
“I will want to win laurels for Enugu state, and the country, as well as be a shining example for other up-coming kids in the sport,’’ he said.
Tidesports source gathered that Ngwu and Gosife Ani were the overall best in all the categories and were awarded gold medals at the clinic.
Nosa Nsofor and Munachi Echeoha were runners-up and recipients of silver medals; while Chukwuezugo Ani, who came third, received a bronze medal.