The inaugural Naija Taekwondo International Open, organized by the Nigeria Taekwondo Advancement Initiative (NTAI), sanctioned and supported by the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation successfully brought together 166 athletes from seven African countries. Held at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan, this event marked an exciting milestone for taekwondo in Africa.
Taking place on August 23rd and 24th, 2024, the competition showcased some of the continent’s top taekwondo talent. With athletes who had previously competed in the African Games and Olympic qualifiers, the event was filled with intense and memorable matches. Oyo State, the host, led the medal table with one gold, two silver, and one bronze.
Foreign athletes made a strong impact, claiming 5 of the 8 available gold medals. Farhat Mahdi from L’volution Club in Ivory Coast was named Best Male Player, while Mary Muriu from Kenya’s Betika team earned the Best Female Player award. Oyo State’s Aliyu Yahuza won the Koboko Award, which is given to the most exciting player to watch, in honor of Ogunniyi Musibau, also known as Koboko, a respected member of the Taekwondo community who passed away a few years ago.
Coach Temitope from Oyo State lauded his team’s performance and acknowledged the support from the Oyo State government, the state taekwondo association chairman, and the sports council. He underscored that their success was a joint endeavor, fostering a sense of unity, and expressed the team’s ambition to achieve international success beyond the National Sports Festival.
The competition featured eight Olympic weight categories, with top performers receiving medals, awards, and certificates. The winners were rewarded handsomely, with ₦200,000 for gold, ₦100,000 for silver, and ₦75,000 for bronze. Even the quarterfinalists didn’t go home empty-handed, receiving ₦25,000.
In addition to the competition, the event included a wellness fair, where various vendors showcased their products and services. This aspect of the event highlighted the close relationship between martial arts and physical well-being, offering a comprehensive experience for both athletes and spectators.
The Naija Taekwondo International Open provided a platform for high-level competition and showcased taekwondo’s potential to emerge as a significant sport across Africa. With a large and passionate following on the continent, taekwondo is on the brink of evolving into a thriving sports ecosystem if all stakeholders collaborate.
The NTAI, a non-profit organization dedicated to the grassroots development of taekwondo in Nigeria, aims to use the sport as a tool for human capital development. The success of this inaugural event is just the beginning, as the initiative continues with its programs, including monthly webinars and insightful articles on various topics within and beyond taekwondo. The Inaugural edition pulled support from partners like Betano, Mamuda Group, makers of Pop Cola, Smoothcomp, NewsCentral TV, Making of Champions, and more.
As the dust settles on this triumphant inaugural edition, it is evident that the Naija Taekwondo International Open has set a new benchmark for martial arts competitions in Africa. The local community, which experienced the positive economic impact of the event, eagerly anticipates its return, as NTAI continues to champion the growth and development of taekwondo across Nigeria and beyond.
Job well-done. Together we move mountains.