The knowledge acquired at the one-day Taekwondo Referee Course cannot be underestimated as the 61 officials that attended the training could not hide their excitement on the quality of the exercise.
The world-class referee seminar was organized by the Chika Chukwumerije Sports Foundation (CCSF) in partnership with the FCT Taekwondo Association with participants grateful for the experience.
The event was conducted by Mrs Margaret Elizabeth Binga, who is a World Taekwondo Federation International Referee [Class 2] saw participants from Benue, Plateau, Cross River, Lagos and host city FCT Abuja, attending the workshop.
The event had a four-hour morning session and a three-hour evening session, which was then followed by a one-hour FCT Referee certification course for participants interested in officiating at FCT sanctioned Taekwondo events.
For FCT-based local coach, Francis Solomon, the event added much knowledge to his arsenal.
He said: “This program has totally changed the way I am going to teach and instruct my athletes. I am very happy I came for this course. It makes a lot of difference”
To the Plateau state Head Coach and WTF International Referee, Winifred Eleri, the program was worth it: “I have been attended seminars in Nigeria for over a decade now. This is the best ever Referee course I have ever attended. It was well organized and the content was very rich. It was even of greater importance because of the new WTF rules”
According to African Silver Medallist and National Champion, Chinazum Nwosu, the event would keep her highly competitive: “I feel even more confident that I would continue to perform on the competitive mat because I now know these new rules. I would adapt my training accordingly so I can be ready to exploit these rules on the international stage”
For Mrs Margaret Binga, who was the NTF Vice President and a two-time African Champion, the FCT Taekwondo Association initiative is a great one.
She said: “FCT Taekwondo has decided to develop referees, coaches and athletes through programs like this. I am ready to organize this kind of world class referee in any state or region that needs and requests for it. It is important that Nigeria develops a high standard of officiators that can stand any international test”
The Chairman of the FCT Taekwondo Association, Mr Tony Anafulu, was very pleased with the entire exercise. Anafulu said: “One of our goals is to develop good referees, coaches and athlete. This seminar helped a whole lot. We have five tournaments we have sanctioned for 2017 and we need good local referees to gain experience at this event. We are confident that a few more seminars like this would bring FCT Taekwondo closer to its goal.”
Chief Executive Officer (CEO), CCSF, Chika Chukwumerije, was happy which the organization of the event.
He said: “One of our core competencies is sports event management. FCT Taekwondo has a goal and we helped match resources to help them achieve their goals. We are happy that all the participants left satisfied and that the sport is better off with yet another quality program delivered.”
Only nine persons out of the thirteen persons that participated in the FCT certification exams passed. They would be expected to officiate at the FCT-sanctioned CCSF Prix Series which takes place this weekend.
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