By John Okeke
The atmosphere at the Korean Cultural Centre Nigeria (KCCN) located at the Central Business District Abuja, on Tuesday 21st November, transformed to a fun-filled environment. It began exactly at 16:00 pm, when some happy smiley faces of the little ones between the ages of 7 and 11, started trooping into the Centre with their parents. One by one they arrived and made their way from the entrance to the hall, already prepared for the event.
Glowing with excitement on their faces, they hurried to the changing room and changed into a white Taekwondo regalia, and rushed out to the hall. Orderly, they position themselves for the event of the evening; a Taekwondo graduation ceremony. Behold, the over excited face are graduating from one class to another. Some from junior white belt to senior white belt, junior yellow to senior, and those who were elevated to blue belt. Mothers, fathers and relatives were equally present to witness and celebrate with the graduands.
Starting the event formally, the young Taekwondo students displayed the formal greetings and few technics of the art in groups to the entertainment of the familiar faces in the audience, receiving resounding clap ovation at every step of the performance. And the hall was lightened brighter by the smiling faces of the parents that shows the feeling of satisfaction for bringing their kids to KCCN for the training, and of course for the impressed performance.
Apparently, the Korean Cultural Centre Nigeria, is all out with so many educating and positive life impacting programmes in its effort to contribute to the Korean government’s thriving relationship with Nigeria government and its citizens. In the recent past, the Centre has facilitated many impactful programmes: training on Korean dishes for chefs, Hangeul writing workshop, youth camping for secondary school students, fashion events, etc.
Speaking to journalists at the sidelineof the Taekwondo training class graduation for children, Rim, the Director of Taekwondo at KCCN, said; “We thought that promoting Taekwando here in Nigeria will provide a good opportunity for Nigerians to learn and benefit from the art.”
She went on to say; “Taekwondo helps one to develop confidence, good character, behavior and patient. Beside the fact that it strengthens physical strength, energy and defence skills.” She added that the entire programme is part of Korean government’s effort to create unofficial activities for the pleasure of Nigerians through the KCCN in the overall interest of deepening the existing relationship between the two countries. “But most important is that having a Taekwando training class here is a way of sharing our culture with Nigeria. It it meant to help strengthen our relationship with our good friend, Nigeria. Here we interface with Nigerians in a more human level away from too much official government to government kind of relation. Here, it is normal human beings engaging in a normal human affairs and relationship. We make friends here and we relate as ordinary human beings.”
Also, the Master Instructor in the Art of Taekwondo at the Centre, Mr. Bola Ogunmuyiwa, who said he started working as an instructor at KCCN since year 2020, said; “Taekwando is a martial art that is very different from other martial arts. This is because it teaches more moral value than combat skills. It is only when the practitioners have learn the moral aspect, they can be taught the combat aspect. It is just like in the military, you don’t teach recruits how to handle riffles before teach them military ethics. Because if you empower a wrong person, he or she may likely misuse the power.
“That is why in Taekwando teaching especially to kids, the emphasis is on making them responsible. Basically, our Taekwondo teaching at KCCN instills positive impact on the kids. Some kids came here very stubborn. In fact some parents will say my kids are very stubborn and may worsen if they learn Taekwando. But I say no, bring them, because we can guarantee that after three months in Taekwando training with us, the stubborn kids usually turns a new leaf. In fact those stubborn ones always lose their stubbornness.
“For instance, some of the children think they can beat any other kid but when you come here and see a kid much younger display martial art skills, they humble. When you come here, we tell you that this place is not an extension of your house, so you cannot do as you wish. Some children in their homes, even their parents cannot talk to them, but when you join us, we tell you that you must obey the rules that govern here. So they abide by the training syllabus and value standard here and it always help in reshaping them. Even the parents in the end testifies.”
On why Taekwondo training centre was instituted at KCCN, he said; “Taekwondo is originally from Korea, so wherever Koreans go, Taekwando must follow.” He went on to say; “Apart from that, Koreans like to impact positively on others. But more importantly, Korea and Nigeria government have been in a good long relationship and the Taekwondo training center here in Abuja, is another way of deepening that relationship. And apart from kids Taekwondo training class, we also have adult classes as well. But unlike the children whose training is 4 days a week, that of adults is only on Fridays.”
Ogunmuyiwa, then said; “We call on parents to bring their children to KCCN for Taekwando classes. Taekwondo is a good sport that will help build a long lasting character for your children. And it’s almost free of charge. Our training centre is not a money making place. The training we give here is almost free of cost. Even the uniforms as well. If you have been worried that Taekwondo class is expensive maybe because of where you have been before, we urge you to come to the Korean Cultural Centre in Central Area Abuja, you are guaranteed of better training and care for your children, almost free of cost. We have very certified instructors. Here Taekwando training has the real standard just as it’s done in Korea.”
In their testimonies, Mrs. Augustina Ogugua, who two of her children are receiving Taekwondo training at the centre, sad; “My kids have always wanted to be part of Taekwando community. And I felt that they could get the knowledge they require from this centre. That was why I brought them here for the training.”
Furthermore]. She said; “So far, the experience for them and even for me their mom has been fabulous. The teachers are very cautious, focus and they teach the kids very well, and I see that my kids have improved in their confidence, their confidence level is very hight right now. But before now, two of my kids used to be very shy but to a very large extent, I have seen a lot of improvement. Even their teachers in school recently confirmed it.”
Also, Mr. NIyi Oginni, said; “I have two kids here. My kids have been doing Taekwondo in school. My wife and I thought that activities like this is very important to give them the confidence they need to socialize, and in their growth and development. Since we know that Taekwando is originally from Korea, so we thought that it is a good opportunity to bring them to the Korean Cultural Centre when we heard they have a Taekwondo training class for children.
“So far, my kids enjoy coming for the class. They are very enthusiastic about the class and they are exhibiting more confidence since they started coming here. Their physical development, exposure and relationship with other kids have tremendously improved. I recommend Taekwondo training class here in this centre for other parents.”
