The Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF) has unveiled its comprehensive programme of activities for the 2026 calendar year, designed to keep all stakeholders actively engaged from January to December.
The 2026 calendar covers all cadres of Taekwondo, including Kyorugi and Poomsae, with a strong emphasis on grassroots development. Activities will span the kids’ segment, junior cadet, and senior cadet categories, featuring both local and international championships aimed at growing the sport nationwide.
Speaking through the NTF Media Team, the President of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, Grand Master Tayo Popoola, stated that the federation has “hit the ground running” and emphasized the need for all stakeholders to be fully committed to achieving the set goals for the year.
“We are starting the year with the registration of World Taekwondo Licenses, which will qualify coaches, referees, and athletes in line with the new laws of the game to be implemented in 2026,” he said.
She further explained that this will be followed immediately by the National Coaches Practical Course, where coaches will be trained on the updated rules and regulations to ensure Nigeria remains competitive with other leading Taekwondo nations. The course will be conducted across all six geopolitical zones of the country.
Reflecting on the performances of Nigerian athletes in the past year, the Federation President expressed optimism about the future and Nigeria’s chances of reclaiming its glory in the sport.
“I must commend all our athletes who represented Nigeria at various championships last year, especially Elizabeth Anyanacho, who won a bronze medal at the World Taekwondo Championship in Wuxi, China — Nigeria’s first medal at the event in over 20 years. With the graded championships lined up for this year, I am confident our athletes will achieve even greater success.”
Grand Master Popoola also extended special appreciation to sponsors who supported the federation in the previous year, while calling on prospective partners to come on board to further promote the sport.
“I sincerely thank all our sponsors for partnering with the federation and contributing to the successes recorded. On behalf of the board members of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, we say thank you. Like Oliver Twist, we are also appealing to prospective sponsors to join us in projecting our events and advancing the sport.”
The 2026 Taekwondo calendar will culminate in December with the Grand Prix Final scheduled to take place in Astana, Kazakhstan.
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