New Rules: Taekwondo federation updates referees, technical officials

The technical department of Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF) on Saturday commended the federation for organising a two-day intensive training for its technical officials on the sport’s new rules.

The seminar was held at the National Stadium, Lagos on March 24 and March 25 with 25 national referees in attendance.

NTF’s Head of Technical, Emmanuel Oghenejobo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the training was to ensure that the technical officials were kept abreast with the new rules in the sport.

“The programme became necessary as a result of constant change in the officiating rules by the world body.”

“The World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) recently amended and introduced new rules for the sport.”

“The federation which is an affiliate of WTF is expected to always be abreast with the rules and regulations governing the game.”

“The referees’ department must be up and doing due to the dynamic nature of officiating which is being regulated by the world body.”

“The idea here is to thoroughly prepare our technical officials and athletes with regard to rules in line with the international requirements so that it will not be strange to them during competitions.”

“The new rules will be applied in any competition organised by affiliates of WTF or WTF itself, so it is important for us to be up to date,” he said.

Oghenejobo said that participants were taught the new rules in kicks and punches as applied to the athletes and scoring points or penalties during fights.

“One of the amended rules is that kick on the body now attracts two points against the previous one point, so athletes’ fighting technique will improve as well,” he added.

According to him, the development will enhance the performance of national athletes at international championships as well as prepare them for major tournaments.

 

Source: NAN