Kickboxing promises more laurels for Nigeria in 2019

Federation set to train coaches in Lagos
The Kickboxing Federation of Nigeria Vice President, Gospel Obolo believes the growing awareness and participation the sport is enjoying in the country would push the federation to ensure its athletes won laurels in 2019.

Obolo said that the federation introduced a lot of reforms in the administration and promotion of the sport last year, adding that it is now repositioned for better performance in the coming years.

Obolo, who also doubles as the chairman of the Bayelsa State Kickboxing Association, said the sport recorded a milestone success in 2018 because Nigeria competed at continental and world championships after years of absence in the senior and junior cadre.

He disclosed that the programme to reposition kickboxing in Nigeria was still a work in progress, adding the board will continue to strive to meet international standards.

On federation’s programme in 2019, the vice president said plans were already on to conduct a weeklong refresher course for referees in continuation of its capacity building for key stakeholders in the sport, adding that the course which will hold in Lagos was crucial as it would help to spread its development programmes across board.

Obolo said the coaches’ training would also improve help to improve the sport at the grassroots, adding, “We cannot get the best of our athletes in competitions if we don’t have sound referees and coaches.