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Tag: Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall

  • NTF boss lauds Korean Embassy’s partnership

    NTF boss lauds Korean Embassy’s partnership

    The President of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF),George Ashiru,on Tuesday, said that the just concluded Korean Ambassador’s Taekwondo Cup, had helped the body to identify budding talents for future competitions.

    The Korean Embassy sponsored the event held from Dec. 8 to Dec. 10 at the Molade Okoya Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

    No fewer than 309 athletes participated in the NTF approved competition, which was hosted by the Lagos State Taekwondo Association, in which the athletes featured in fights and demonstrations event.

    Ashiru said the athletes performed brilliantly in their various weight categories and fought in accordance with the current rules.

    He added that the latest electronic devices were used for scoring, while well-informed referees, officiated at the competition.

    “This is another big competition for us, its standard usually prepare athletes to pick slots in their weights, which also creates good platform to identify competent athletes for national trials.

    “The performance by outstanding athletes in this competition has provided records that can be used to invite athletes to defend the titles during national trials.

    “Next year, we have world championships and other continental competitions, so winners in the male and female categories stand chances to pick slots.

    “It was indeed a successful performance, the use of standard electronic devices made the officiating free and fair and both the athletes, fans and officials were satisfied,” he said.

    In the same vein, Koffi Anani, a World Taekwondo Federation graded referee, commended the LSTA for a well-organised and hitch-free event.

    Anani said that he was also impressed by the manner in which the athletes and coaches conducted themselves during the three-day competition.

    “A big kudos to the LSTA, they have really proved the excellence in the Lagos State logo; the hall was very conducive, there was maximum security and there was no case of fight or theft.

    “The technical officials had a refreshers course to herald this competition, and it actually reflected in the performances of athletes under the supervision of the officials.

    “Everything about this competition is commendable, even the federation went an extra mile by accommodating 150 of the athletes free-of-charge,” he said.

    Josephine Esuku, a-46kg medalist in individual poomsae (demonstration) event at the competition, applauded the Korean Embassy for its sponsorship and sustenance of the event.

    Esuku said the competition had contributed immensely to the development of her career since she started competing in 2009.

    “The Korean Embassy has remained dedicated to the growth of Taekwondo in this country, its sponsorship has been consistent and many of us have benefited from it.

    “I am happy to be identified with this competition, and every edition has added value to my Taekwondo career, which has helped me to compete at international championships.’’

    Samsideen Oseni, an Ogun State Coach, won the overall best coach.

    Nelson Oluigbo came out as the overall best referee of the tournament alongside winners of gold, silver and bronze medals at various events.

  • Taekwondo Federation honours Obasanjo, Dalung, others

    Taekwondo Federation honours Obasanjo, Dalung, others

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung and retired Lt.-Gen. Inuwa Wushishi are to be honoured by the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation.

    The award is part of activities lined up by the federation to mark the 2016 edition of the annual Korean Ambassador’s Taekwondo Championship, slated for Dec. 8 to Dec. 10 in Lagos.

    The President of the federation, George Ashiru, said in a statement on Tuesday that the championship would be used to mark the 30th anniversary of the body.

    He said that the recipients were being honoured for their immense contributions to the growth of the federation.

    Ashiru said that the event, sponsored by the Korean Cultural Centre, would hold at the Molade Okoya Thomas Hall at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.

    According to him, the event is geared toward boosting sports development and bilateral relations between Nigeria and South Korea.

    “It is noteworthy that this is the 30th year of establishing the Taekwondo Federation in Nigeria. It was formed in 1986 and inaugurated in 1987.

    “We are giving out awards in recognition of the people who have in one way or the other supported the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation tactically, politically and materially.

    “These Nigerians will be honoured during the competition holding between Dec.8 and Dec. 10 for uplifting the sport in Nigeria.

    “Former President Olusegun Obasanjo incepted the training of taekwondo in the National Library, he personally supports, visits and enrolled his grand children.

    “The minister for sports for second time in a row will be physically present at the event and deserves special recognition.”

    Ashiru explained that the history of taekwondo would never be complete without the mention of Inuwa Wushishi, who used his good office as the Chief of Army staff to propagate taekwondo in the Nigerian Army.

    “We will like to honour the gentleman, who signed the bilateral agreement that brought in the first set of Korean instructors officially to Nigeria when he was the chief of army staff.

    “One of the two instructors brought in by Wushishi later became the first national coach, who took the pioneer national team to the All Africa Games in 1987 which I was part of.

    “We think it’s time, 30 years after, for the federation to remember the man that started taekwondo in the Nigerian Army, which the army is now benefiting from.”

    Ashiru disclosed that all the awardees had confirmed that they would be present to receive their awards.

  • Nigeria premier lotto: ITTF promises fierce competition in Lagos

    From the 81 players from 11 countries that featured in the 2015 ITTF Nigeria Open, this year’s edition has set another record in the entries as 122 players from 16 nations will be competing for the $46,000 prize money at stake.

    Beginning from May 18 to 22 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium in Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre, Lagos, players will be aiming for ranking points and targeting places at the end-of-year World Tour finals.

    Attesting to impressive entries for the Premier Lotto-sponsored Nigeria Open, Competition Manager, Mohamed Dawlatly believes the turnout would surely add glamour to the championship.

    “Although it might not be as high as the organizers wanted, but still, it’s better from last year as we now have 122 players from 16 countries compared to 81 players from 11 countries in 2015 which means players are now more interested to attend this important event. Following the last year’s event, I’m expecting some high level of Table Tennis especially with the increase of entries and also with the importance of the event in Nigeria, which can be felt from care and follow-up of the organizers trying to make sure that everything is covered and presented in its best way,” Dawlatly said.

    On his expectations, he said: “As I had mentioned, I’m expecting a high level of competition with the players from 16 countries and also the big number of Nigerian players which we all know how strong and competitive they are.

    “I know that it’s well organized from the Nigeria TTA trying to provide the best possible condition for the player, also I know that Nigerian spectators are very active and loves to support their players, actually I was told by our Marketing Director who attended the last year’s WT that the atmosphere was one of the best he attended in the last years with many spectators excited and supporting their players,” he added.

    Being his first trip, Dawlatly said: “Well, it’s always exciting to visit new countries all over the world and Nigeria is a very special destination for me as a former Egyptian player as we all know that Nigeria and Egypt were and still the top two countries fighting for the African Gold Medals

    One the impact of the presence of European players, he explained: “For sure this is a very good step forward to have those top European countries coming to Lagos for this year’s WT which mean that they followed last years and they feel that it would help them to attend such event, it also helps the event exposure inside Nigeria and World Wide that might help to attract more countries next year and finally it will definitely help those new Nigerian players participating in the event.”

  • ITTF Premier Lotto: Portugal leads 14 countries to Nigeria

    ITTF Premier Lotto: Portugal leads 14 countries to Nigeria

    European champion, Portugal will lead 15 other countries across the globe to this year’s ITTF Premier Lotto Nigeria Open (Lagos 2016) serving off May 18 to 22 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.

    Seven players made up of five male and two female including women’s singles defending champion, 22 year-old Jieni Shao will champion the campaign for the European giant against top players from Russia, Hungary, Egypt, Finland, Slovakia, Romania, Iran, Mexico, Ghana, Congo Brazzaville, Morocco, Tunisia, Congo DRC and Cameroun.

    Already, 122 players have been listed for the tournament, which has been described by the Competition Manager, Mohammed Dawlatly has encouraging.

    “Although it might not be as high as the organizers wanted, but still it is better from last year as we now have 122 players from 16 countries compared to 81 players from 11 countries in 2015 which means players are now more interested to attend this important event,” the ITTF official said.

    Also listed for the tournament is two-time winner of the ITTF World Tour and Hungary’s most success table tennis star, Hungary’s Szandra Pergel. The Hungarian will be hoping to wrestle for the title against Nigeria’s duo of Edem Offiong and Olufunke Oshonaike.

    In the men’s singles, home-boy, Aruna Quadri will have his hand full when he battles against top players from Europe as well his Egyptian rivals.

    Impressed with the number of participants for this year’s tournament, Tournament Director, Ranti Olajide said this once again confirmed the importance players across the world now attached to the championship.

    “As the highest prize money in the Challenge Series of the ITTF World Tour, more players are now willing to be part of the competition in Lagos. Apart from aiming to share from the prize money, they intend to use the championship to amass points for their world ranking as well as qualify for the end-of-year ITTF World Tour Finals. We are indeed excited about the turnout and we hope this year will be more competitive and glamorous based on the quality of the players coming to Lagos,” Olajide said.

  • Record entries for ITTF premier lotto Nigerian Open

    For the first time in the last three editions, the annual ITTF Premier Lotto Nigerian Open has record entries of participants for this year’s tournament scheduled for May 18 to 22.

    Since its inception in 2013, the tournament competitors have not exceeded 100 but from the list of registered participants for 2016 edition as at Wednesday, April 27, more than 120 players have been confirmed for the championship holding at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium.

    According to the Tournament Director, Ranti Olajide, the quality of players coupled with the number of entries is a reflection of the organisation and the standard of play.

    “I must tell you that this year we are having more players coming from Europe, unlike in the past. Also, players across the world are now beginning to realize that Nigeria is a mecca of table tennis in Africa considering the achievement of our local players taking a cue from Aruna Quadri’s global resurgence, which has now become a rallying point for all the players across the world,” he said.

    Olajide, who is a certified ITTF-certified international referee, believes the presence of the top players from Europe would halt the rivalry between Nigeria and Egypt which has dominated the tournament in the last three editions. “I think this year, the tournament will be particularly competitive with the players coming Europe and they will surely give the home players a run for their money,” he added.

    Officials from Egypt and Algeria will handle proceedings at the five-day tournament, which is the highest prize money ITTF World in the 2016 Challenge Series, with $46,000 (N13.8m) at stake.

    Six events are to be competed for and these include singles (men and women); doubles (men and women) as well as U-21 boys and girls. According to the prospectus for the tournament, any player entering for the tournament will agree to abide by all ITTF rules and by the rules and regulations of the Organizing Committee.

  • ITTF names Egypt, Algeria officials for 2016 Nigerian Open

    ITTF names Egypt, Algeria officials for 2016 Nigerian Open

  • ITTF Nigerian Open: Media accreditation opens

    The media accreditation for the 2016 International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Lagos World Tour tagged Nigerian Open begins across the country.

    Intending journalists and media houses willing to cover the five-day championship are expected to send their names and medium to nigeriattf@gmail.com. The deadline for registration has been fixed for May 10.

    According to the organisers – Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), this year’s tournament promises to be exciting as top players from Africa and Europe have confirmed their participation in the highest-paid Challenge series in the ITTF World Tour calendar.

    According to ITTF Director of Competition, Karl Jindrak, the Nigerian Open is one of the Challenge Series tournaments in the ITTF calendar, and it holds on May 18 to 22 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

    Participants will jostle for $46,000 (N13.8m) this year, while defending champion, Egypt’s Omar Assar will be making a return to Lagos after the disappointing defeat he suffered against Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri at the ITTF Africa Top 16 Cup in Khartoum, Sudan.

    Also, other top players from Egypt who have been part of the championship in the last three years are expected to return to Lagos in their bid to sweep the prize money.

    Six events have been listed by the world table tennis ruling body and they are singles (men and women); doubles (men and women) as well as U-21 boys and girls.

    There are indications that top players from Europe and Asia will be gracing this year’s tournament as part of their efforts to garner world ranking points as well as make it to the end-of-the-year ITTF World Tour Finals.

    According to the prospectus for the tournament, any player entering for the tournament will agree to abide by all ITTF rules and by the rules and regulations of the Organizing Committee.