THISDAY

FCT Schools Hold Maiden Combined Taekwondo Training

- Olawale Ajimotokan

Four public schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) blazed the trail at the weekend when they held a joint training section on Taekwondo under the auspices of the Korean Cultural Centre with support from Korea Sports Promotion Foundation

The beneficiar­ies were Maitama Model Primary School, LEA Wuse 3 Primary School, LEA Wuse 5 Zone 1 Primary School and Model Junior Primary School, Maitama.

The first combined Taekwondo training was coordinate­d by instructor­s from the Korean Cultural Centre, led by coach Mohammed Abdulmalik, a four degree blacker and taekwondo internatio­nal referee.

They were introduced to more advanced trainings and competitiv­e activities that include Olympic-style sparring and Pomsae (forms) as well as to acquaint students with upcoming events.

It was the first time the schools will come together for a combined training since the Korean Cultural Centre Nigeria in partnershi­p with FCT Universal Basic Education Board in 2014 introduced Taekwondo in public schools in FCT.

The programme is intended to expand and cover more schools within FCT.

Abdulmalik, who boasted Nigeria will win a gold medal at Tokyo 2020 Olympics, said that they are considerin­g holding a public school taekwondo tournament to enable the schools compete among one and others.

“This programme was organised as most of them have not yet got the knowledge of how to use chest protector and are learning it. Taekwondo helps children build confidence, enhances discipline, sharpens mental alertness, enhances selfesteem, strengthen­s the mind and body and teaches self-defence.”

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