The Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF) has introduced a new team-based competition format to strengthen athletes’ skills and prepare them for major international events.
NTF President, Temitayo Popoola, said the format was introduced through the maiden Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (MOB) National Taekwondo Club/Team Championship.
Popoola told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos that the format would improve athletes’ stamina, consistency, timing and competitiveness.
She said the championship would also help prepare Nigerian athletes for major international competitions, including the Olympic Games and African Games.
“This is the first time this kind of competition is being organised in Nigeria, although the format is practised in other countries,” Popoola said.
The championship, which began on Friday at the Indoor Sports Hall, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, reaches its final day on Saturday.
The teams from states, clubs, universities and institutions across the country are participating in the championship.
The competition featured Team Kyorugi (Tag-Match Sparring) and Team Poomsae events for senior and junior categories.
Popoola said Nigerian athletes won medals at the African Taekwondo Championship in May, including medals in Poomsae and Para Taekwondo.
She said the federation’s remaining programmes for the year included the University Taekwondo Championship and Korean Ambassador’s event.
Popoola also commended the media for supporting taekwondo and stressed the importance of providing athletes with quality equipment.
Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, sponsor of the championship, said his support was driven by his commitment to sports development. Bamidele said his support was also based on his confidence in the leadership of the NTF.
He described taekwondo as an elegant sport and sports as a scientific sector with significant economic importance. Bamidele promised continued support for the championship and announced July 29, 2027 for the next edition.
He said preparations for the 2027 championship would begin immediately, with plans to make it bigger and attract more participants.
Lekan Fatodu, Director-General, Lagos State Sports Commission, said sports could develop talents and create opportunities for young people.
Fatodu said the approach would also help keep youths away from criminality and provide athletes for the national pool. He said no sport or talent should be overlooked under the administration of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
“Mr Governor said that the best must come out of Lagos, and it is because of that best that we want to give every sports-loving individual,” Fatodu said.
On the Lagos State Intermediate Games, Fatodu said the maiden edition was designed to bridge the gap between under-15 and elite levels. He said the games had been moved to the first quarter of 2027 to ensure the state delivered the best possible event.
Speaking on behalf of the Rivers team, Salawudeen Usman attributed his victory to dedication, persistence and determination.
Usman said the team enjoyed the organisation of the championship and described the new format as an important development.
“We really enjoyed the organisation of this competition because this is the first time this kind of competition is being organised in Nigeria,” he said. Speaking on behalf of the Lagos team, Idris Ibrahim said the team prepared well but made mistakes toward the end.
“Everything was well prepared for before now, but it is a game. Anybody can win and anything can happen,” Ibrahim said. Lagos finished second after making mistakes toward the end of the competition.
The state participated in several junior and Team Poomsae categories, recording two gold and two silver medals. Ibrahim appreciated the organisation and urged the organisers to sustain the championship.
“I really appreciate them and encourage them to do more for us so that we can put in our best and give better performances in the future,” he said.
Bamidele Kazeem, Coach of Team Lagos, said the team gave its best but identified areas requiring improvement. “Our boys gave it their all. People were eulogising them as they were performing,” Kazeem said.
He said the team would work on its weaknesses and improve at the next championship. “We are going to work on it and we will be better next time,” he said.
In the junior male Kyorugi category, All Best Club Abuja emerged first, followed by Lagos State in second position. Aimaan Association placed third, while Osun State finished fourth.
In the junior female Kyorugi category, Ondo State emerged first, followed by N-Youth Club in second position. Lagos State finished third in the junior female Kyorugi category.
