Olympic Medallist Hails Waychamp System At MOB National Taekwondo Championship

Olympic Games medallist Emmanuel Peters has praised the Taekwondo Federation of Nigeria (TFN) for introducing the Waychamp electronic scoring system at the inaugural Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (MOB) National Taekwondo Championship in Lagos.

Peters said the deployment of the technology had provided athletes with access to world-class competition equipment and would help raise the standard of taekwondo in Nigeria.

“It was great to have the best world-class equipment for the event, especially in the very first edition of the competition,” Peters said.

“We all look forward to having our athletes compete under the best template. I was shocked to see the facilities on display at the MOB Championship. I also congratulate the TFN for putting up a good show.”

The Olympic medallist also said the championship provided an important platform for identifying emerging talents across the country.

“There are good talents all over the federation and it is competitions like this that can help in identifying the hidden talents,” he said.

“The use of the Waychamp electronic system is a massive boost to the game in Nigeria and Africa. It is only people who know about taekwondo that will appreciate it more.”

TFN president Tayo Popoola expressed satisfaction with the turnout of spectators and dignitaries during the final day of the competition.

“We were not sure of anything, including the presence of the sponsor, who is a busy man, but somehow everything fell into place and we had a glorious final,” Popoola said.

Among the dignitaries who attended the championship were Lagos State Sports Council Director-General Lekan Fatodu, Agege Local Government chairman Ganiyu Obasa, Nigeria Olympic Committee vice-president Solomon Ogba and Nigeria Basketball Federation vice-president Babs Ogunade.

Several National Assembly members also attended the event to support the sponsor, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele.

Bamidele said he was pleased with the impact of the championship and the opportunity to contribute to the development of taekwondo.

“I am happy we are adding value to taekwondo. The Taekwondo Federation president is someone in whom we are well pleased, Tayo Popoola,” Bamidele said.

“This is something she has done all her life and she has represented Nigeria, promoting the cause of taekwondo. Apart from that, she has been valuable to the Lagos State Government in the area of sports administration.”