The Korean Cultural Centre in Nigeria (KCCN) on Tuesday celebrated Chuseok, a thanks giving celebration popular in the Republic of Korea
The KCCN decided to organised Ssireum tournament as part of activities to celebrate the day with lovers of Korean Culture in Nigeria.
The tournament took place at the popular KCCN in Abuja.
In the Male Heavyweight Category, while Dan Reynolds from Bullet kick Taekwondo won Gold, Ugwuegbu Kelechi Samuel from KICK Taekwondo won silver and Akande Oyejide from Dove Taekwondo clinched the Bronze prize.
Similarly in the Female Heavyweight Category, Eragbai Blessing Omokhule.
from Damek Taekwondo won gold, Comfort Sunday of Danmek Taekwondo got Silver and Chukwuma Judith of BG Taewondo ran away with Bronze
Others winners in the Ssireum tournament in the Male Lightweight category include, Anya Joseph Ndukwe from Asorock Taekwondo got Silver. Joel Mario from same Asorock Taekwondo won the Gold prize and Abdulmalik Saidu from FCT Taekwondo got the Bronze prize.
Meanwhike, in the Female Lightweight Category, Akande Oluwabusayo Eunice from Dove Taekwondo won the Gold prize, Oyelakin Opeyemi Lydia from Laupech won the Silver and Taddawus Destiny from Dove Taekwondo
clinched the Bronze Prize.
Speaking the Teakwando Head Coach at the KCCN, Gbolahan Ogunmoyiwa, said the the tournament is an exhibition contest to promote Ssireum.
“We have about 30 contestants from different sport clubs in the Federal Capital Territory.
“The essence of doing this, is to create awareness. This is the fourth edition; and in the past editions, we use to invite older athletes, but in this edition, we decided to invite younger ones.
“This is to catch them young, so that when they get it right, they can pass it down to their peers in schools and communities.
“And as time goes on, we will try to put more effort to have a Federation for Ssireum in Nigeria. For now, our concentration is in the FCT; but as time goes on, we will extend it to other parts of the country.
“The primary essence is to bring unity and togetherness, because, there will always be winners and lovers, but after the contest all participants would have gained something.
“However, we need equipment like the Sabat, Sand Court, etc. KCCN has created this avenue and opportunity to show the wideness and richness of Korean Culture,” Ogunmoyiwa said.
Similarly, the Cultural Event and Communication Officer of KCCN, Ms Jennifer Onyasi, explained that the Che also known as the Korean Thanksgiving Celebration is a holiday where people travel to see their parents and celebrate with them and other family members.
According to her, Chuseok is a family oriented celebration in the Rubric of Korea.
“As KCCN, we celebrate Chuseok today by sharing Korean culture to Nigerians. Create awareness of what Cheisok is all about and also create some sort of collaboration between Sport organisations in Nigeria and Korean Sports.
“Usually, we celebrate our Chuseok here in Nigeria with series of events. For this year, we have Ssireum Tournament and Cooking Clesses,” Onyasi said.
One of the contestant in the SsireumTournament, Williams Dare, said he had a Taekwondo background, adding that it would help him excel in the tournament.
Dare commended the KCCN for never letting Nigerians down in sharing K-Culture with them.
Similarly, a female contestant, Comfort Sunday said she was at the KCCN to celebrate the Chuseok by contesting in the Ssireum Tournament.
“I will use the skill in Ssireum to defend myself in case of any attack. I also urge all girls to also have the Ssireum skill, because when attacked a girls can use the skill to defend herself”.
