THE third Ahmadiyya International Martial Arts of Nigeria (AIMAAN) U-18 Taekwondo Open Championship was held on Saturday at indoor sports hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos State.
Two hundred and sixty athletes from seven states (Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Kebbi, Ondo, Kwara, Osun) and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) participated in the championship that was officiated by 45 taekwondo officials.
The athletes were from numerous clubs and schools, national and regional academies and martial arts organisations, including the Lagos State Taekwondo Association, Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF), Nigeria Taekwondo Black Belt College (NTBBC), Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, Majlis Khuddam ul Ahmadiyya, Nigeria (MKAN), Majlis Ansarullah of Nigeria (MAAN).
Winners in the different categories of the competition, watched by over 200 spectators from within and outside Lagos State, were given medals and certificates.
The event, organised by AIMAAN under the coordination of the Majlis Khuddam-ul Ahmadiyya Nigeria (MKAN), the young men’s branch of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, particularly for those between the ages of 15 and 40, is intended to imbue the athletes with self-esteem, knowledge of self-defense and heightened mental and physical well-being.
As is the case with taekwondo competitions, all athletes arrived at the stadium at 6.00 a.m. They were weighed, and the competition started at exactly 8.00 a.m.
Personalities who graced the championship included the Amir, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Alhaji Abdul Azeez Alatoye; Sadr, MKAN Nigeria, Mr Abdur Roqib Akinyemi: Lagos State Taekwondo Association chairman, Master Jimmy Ogunnowo; Lagos State Taekwondo coach, Master Peace Ogunnowo; NTBBC Vice President, GM Abdul Muhmeen (Big Abdul); NTF Vice President, GM Tayo Popoola and GM Rafiu Ibrahim (King).
The first U-18 AIMAAN Open Championship was held in 2017 in Ojokoro, Lagos while the second edition was held in 2019 at the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan, Oyo State, with 96 athletes from three states, seven clubs and 10 officials.
The championship could not hold in 2020 and 2021 due to the global pandemic, COVID -19.