Taekwando SPAR-norama Has Added Value To Our Game, Says Ogunnowo

Lagos State Taekwondo Association chairman Jimmy Ogunnowo

The Chairman, Lagos State Taekwondo Association, Jimmy Ogunnowo has stated that the grassroots development programme tagged “Taekwondo SPAR-norama” has produced national champions and the Taekwondo Association will not rest on it oars in discovering and exposing athletes for the growth of the martial arts.

He made the statement at the “2023 Taekwondo SPAR-norama” designed to identify talents and also honour late Coach Musibau Ogunniyi, at the Indoor Sports Hall,Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.

This year’s event features Poomsae (male and female individual) and Kyorugi in different categories such as fin/fly Weight, bamtam/Feather weight, lightwelter weight and middle/heavy weight.

The Director General, Lagos State Sports Commission, Oluwatoyin Gafaar presenting medals to winners in different categories at the “2023 Taekwondo SPAR-norama,” designed to identify talents and honour late Coach Musibau Ogunniyi, at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Indoor Sports Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos State

Director General, Lagos State Sports Commission, Toyin Gafaar (2nd left) with some of the winners at the event

Ogunnowo said that the Taekwondo SPAR-norama is one of the programmes dedicated to the discovering and exposing athletes, to measure up with new officiating rules and regulations, adding that it would also give room for others to compete with their peers.

“We are working at the biggest thing. The idea is to ensure that we expose the up-and-coming athletes to become the Olympians of tomorrow”.

Beauty Ditu who won a gold medal in Kyorugi Fin/Fly-Weight category posited that participating in the grassroots programme helps to build her and prepare for the next competitions, saying it also serves as a platform for the Junior one’s to grow.

A Light-welter Weight champion, Orji Samuel Oluwasogo said his consistence in training and personal effort has really worked for him.

“I thank God for giving me this gold medal because I really work hard for it”.