Emmanuel Oghenejobo, organiser of the annual Agoma Open Taekwondo Festival (AOTF), on Wednesday said the championships scheduled to hold in Lagos has now been shifted to April 16 to April 19.
Oghenejobo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the postponement was due to the forthcoming Radamadan observed annually by Muslims.
According to him, the championships have been rescheduled from its former date of April 9 to April 12, at the Knock-up Hall at the National Stadium, Lagos.
He said that some athletes from the northern states of the country had requested that the Main Organising Committee (MOC) should adjust the date to enable them to observe the fast.
“We have many athletes coming from the north to compete; and information reaching us from them confirms that their fasting clashes with our championships date.
“Therefore, we deemed it necessary to consider them because it’s an exercise that is important to them, while they also want to be identified with this tournament.
“So, the new date will give them the opportunity to be part of the championships after which they commence their fasting which is compulsory for Muslims,’’ he said.
The AOTF organiser said that registration for the event was in progress, adding that some states associations, individuals and clubs had registered.
According to him, the first 100 entries will get free-branded T-shirt, to encourage participants to register on time.
He said the events were Senior/junior/cadet, minor categories (male and female), senior individual Poomsae, (male and female), senior mixed team Poomsae (two males and one female or two females one male).
Others are kyokpa (adult male only), hoshinsul (adult male and females).
The organiser, however, noted that athletes must be on their complete uniform as part of the competition’s requirements.