The Technical Director of Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF), Chika Chukwumerije on Monday became the first taekwondo official to be certified by the World Taekwondo (WT) as one of the pioneer global educators.
The three-day certification course was held at at Taekwondowon in Muju, South Korea under the auspices of World Taekwondo and the Taekwondo Promotion Foundation.
Chukwumerije told www.aclsports.com that the best technical people were selected across the globe in order to make them educators to Taekwondo coaches in the World.
He said, “We are the pioneer set, they called the best technical people across the World because they want educators that can actually go out to teach Taekwondo coaches who attend World Taekwondo events.
“There will be very few of us, now we have graduated and by next week they will let us know if we are going to get this certification. So yes, I am the first in Nigeria to do these examinations”.
The three times Olympian said individuals present at the course are the best in the world technically and they know everything about Taekwondo in the ring and different aspects of the sport.
The 2008 Beijing bronze medallist said: “First and foremost, it was a huge privilege and honour for me when the World Taekwondo Education Committee specifically reached out to me two weeks ago. So when I came to the course and saw really that the individuals present are the best in the world technically and they know everything about Taekwondo in the ring and different aspects of the sport.
He further said, “That I was invited here was a big privilege and to let you know I am learning more and more in Taekwondo. It also helped me know that I am improving and felt proud for Nigeria and Africa. I will start trying to help not only Nigeria but Africa countries around us to develop very high level coaches who can make an impact”.
He said the global educator will not only be used to help Nigeria but other African countries.
Chukwumerije said, “The course is a global role and not just for Nigeria Taekwondo. If I do a course in Nigeria, it is an added advantage but we will make it global so that the countries around can also benefit but certainly the course was intense, I learnt so much.
“It means when we do our coaching courses later in the year, it is going to be packed with a lot of very new information that will improve the level of the coaches”.
He added, “World Taekwondo is very keen on us getting this knowledge down to the grassroots across countries and I want to try to do that to the best of my abilities in Nigeria and other African countries”
Chukwumerije was among the selected 28 technical officials from 24 countries who gained the certification following the completion of the three-day certification course held in Muju, South Korea.
