Loss of Electronic Tae Kwondo Scoring System forced a delay at the Kenya University Sports Association (KUSA) indoor games at Kibabii University Hall today.
Rwandan Allan Irene, the Rwandan Tae Kwondo national coach was tasked with supplying the gadget for the games but they got lost in a hotel in Kanduyi, Bugoma County on the eve of the games.
Speaking at the university ground, Kenya Tae Kwondo Association vice chairman Philip Khaemba the gadget has forced them to delay and going manually, which may not be so accurate compared to the electronic system.
“What transpired with electronic system, the office charged with the duty of coming with them from Rwanda to Kenya arrive on Friday he took a room at a Kanduyi hotel and his luggage was stolen from his room at around 5:30pm after he left the room to have food at the same hotel. He had left the key with the receptionist but on return, he didn’t find his belongings,” said Khaemba.
According to Khaemba, the Electronic Tae Kwondo scoring system has the head gear and body protector that has high sensing power that when a foot that has foot gloves, with 12 sensors of each foot glove and when it makes conduct with either the head gear or body protector, it gives the score automatically and points displayed automatically.
“This is better and more far away better that manual judging. With the later, the referee is tasked with recording each and every point manually and presenting such papers after each round. Now that the electronic system is not here, players are here and the investment is high, we can’t just let the kids go back. Rules allows as to go manual in-case of a failing electronic system,” added Khaemba.
They imported the gear from Rwanda Tae kwondo Federation since Kenya Tae Kwondo lacks the modern second generation.
Khaemba said Rwanda has the latest Ti doo second generation and higher scoring chances par foot since each foot has 12 sensors on it. The one given by Korea three years ago is out dated and has only five sense on each foot and doesen’t work more than half a day.
“In fact it has never finished any tournament. And the local person who has the gadget charges us between Kshs 130 000 but Rwandese, despite having their own, travelling all the way and having the second generation gear, they charge us between Kshs 70,000 to Kshs 100,000 depending on the event,” said Khaemba.
After they engaged with the hotel management, they didn’t take Irene serious and the matter was reported to Bungoma police station that is under investigation.