Guardian

FOR his enormous contribution coupled with his interest in the sport, United States-based, Taekwondo Hall of Fame has appointed Nigeria’s George Ashiru as continental director overseeing Africa.

In a letter signed by its Founder/ Executive Director, Gerard Robbins, addressed to Ashiru and made available to The Guardian, the appointment took effect from November 10, 2014 to November 10, 2014.

“It is an honour and privilege to appoint you to the esteemed position of Continental Director to the Taekwondo Hall of Fame® representing Africa.  Your appointment will be for a period of two (2) years from November 10, 2012 to November 10, 2014. With your vast knowledge of Taekwondo and experience as a leader I am confident that with you continuing to serve as our Continental Director the vision and goals of the Taekwondo Hall of Fame will be fully realized,” it stated.

It added: “In closing, I commend you for your steadfast commitment to the preservation and growth of Taekwondo in Africa and in particular Nigeria over the years, and look forward to working with you well into the future.”

Ashiru is the president of the Nigeria Taekwondo Black Belt College (NTBBC) and he was the pioneer national welterweight taekwondo champion, winning a silver medal in the Nairobi ‘87 All Africa Games.   He is also an International Referee and International Master Instructor in Taekwondo and was twice inducted into the Official Taekwondo Hall of Fame in USA 2009, and Korea 2011. Ashiru was named ‘Taekwondo Ambassador’ by Taekwondo Jidokwan Korea, and named by the Kukkiwon (World Taekwondo Headquarters, Korea) as one of the “World Taekwondo Leaders.” The Kukkiwon in 2011 also gave him a commendation for promoting taekwondo in the world.

For 11 years, Ashiru was the chairman of Ogun State Taekwondo Association and before that, Vice Chairman of Lagos State Taekwondo Association and he served as the Team Manager to the 2008 Nigeria Taekwondo Olympic Team that won a bronze medal for Nigeria via Chika Chukwumerije. He has also served as member of the Technical Committees of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation.