NOC/NTF Taekwondo Course To Begin In Abuja Today

The Nigeria Olympic Committee and Nigeria Taekwondo Federation will co-host a Technical Coaches’ Course in Abuja from Sunday, June 22, with no fewer than 25 coaches expected to participate in the week-long programme.

The course has been scheduled to run from Sunday, June 22 to Friday, June 28 at the Velodrome in Package ‘A’ of the Sports Complex of the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, with participants expected to arrive at the venue on Sunday and depart on Friday.

This training targets taekwondo coaches from State Sports Councils and Commissions as well as institutions of higher learning across the country, forming part of the International Olympic Committee’s global educational programmes being implemented through Olympic Solidarity in collaboration with the World Taekwondo body.

The initiative aims to equip coaches with the essential tools and knowledge to drive the development of taekwondo in the country, helping to enhance their understanding of modern coaching techniques and methodologies that align with the IOC’s mandate of promoting clean, healthy, and high-performance athletes.

The course will be conducted by Mr Tae Sung Kwon, an international taekwondo expert from Seoul, South Korea, who was appointed by the International Federation. Kwon will be supported by an interpreter from the Korean Embassy in Abuja to ensure smooth communication during the course.

The programme has been designed to build on participants’ existing coaching competencies and help them adapt to evolving international standards in the sport, with NOC Assistant Secretary Dolapo Rofiat set to administratively coordinate the week-long programme.

Key areas of focus during the course include deepening mastery of taekwondo techniques and tactical awareness, fostering strategic thinking and adaptability alongside modern skills adaptation, and encouraging collaboration and networking among coaches, athletes, and officials.

The course will be officially declared open by the President of the NOC, Engr. Habu Ahmed Gumel, underlining the significance attached to the development programme by Nigeria’s Olympic leadership.

Taekwondo has consistently ensured gold medal prospects for Nigeria at major regional and continental Games, making the technical development of coaches crucial to maintaining the country’s competitive edge in the sport.

The initiative represents part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s coaching infrastructure across Olympic sports, with the collaboration between the NOC and NTF demonstrating the commitment to raising standards in taekwondo development.