GIL-Do Fitness Consult, a taekwondo/martial arts academy, has pledged to discover and groom talented children in taekwondo from their formative stage to international grade. This, it believes, would encourage children to take part in sports instead of criminal activities.
Speaking at the yearly GILD-Do Fitness Consult grading of athletes in Lekki, Lagos, where over 50 boys and girls were promoted to different belt colours, the Academy’s CEO, Gideon Asanam, a black belt Sixth Dan holder, said that training children in martial arts at their formative stage would ensure the country has talents that would represent it at future international events.
“My goal is to train and groom kids on taekwondo in Lekki area of Lagos. It has been a successful event so far, as many parents have seen the need to encourage their children to take part in taekwondo. My vision is to see most of the children I groom come out to represent the country in future international engagements,” he said.
One of the supervisors at the grading examinations, former Nigeria Taekwondo Federation referee, who is currently NUGA Coordinator, Victoria Bedeteri, said the vision of the organisation would help to produce talented children who will represent Nigeria at future youth games.
“Our projection is to continue to discover talents in taekwondo from their tender age. I am glad that parents have seen the need to encourage their wards to be involved in martial arts.
“It will not only give them the advantage of being strong to defend themselves against criminals or bullies, but also put them in the right direction to aspire to represent Nigeria in big championships like the Olympics.
“Grooming children from the tender age will give them the advantage to participate in sports. There is need to source for more talents in taekwondo that would take over from the older ones when they retire,” she said.
Certificate and medals were presented to outstanding children in the practical exams.
