The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria Taekwondo Federation

  • World Taekwondo confirms NTF Board

    World Taekwondo confirms NTF Board

     

    More than three months after assumption of office the 15-man board of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF) has officially been recognized by the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF).

    Under the leadership of its first ever female President, Mrs Margaret Binga, the taekwondo board has taken giant stride since taking charge.

    In an email to the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, Yeni Lee, who is designated as “Member Relations”, Development & Legal Affairs of World Taekwondo wrote, ““This is to notify you that the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation has finished the report and recognition of the newly elected board members. The information has been uploaded on World Taekwondo Website and Directory according the provided information.”

    Binga, a two-time African champion was elected as the President of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation and inaugurated by the Minister of Youths and Sports in August.

    Since the Federation’s inaugural board meeting on September 26in Lagos, the board has organised seven major programmes across the country – three national coaching workshops in Maiduguri, Makurdi and Abakaliki; the taekwondo event of the National Youth Games in Ilorin; a National Referee Course, Korean Ambassador’s Cup and 1st ever Nigeria Open Taekwondo Championships in Abuja.

    Also, delegates at the first ever congress of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation voted to hold a special congress in March 2018 in order to deliberate and pass the constitution of the Federation.

    The end of year congress, which was chaired by Binga, had delegates from 20 states in attendance.

    Other NTF board officials present were: Mrs Pat Anyanwu, Alhaji Sani Lawal, Mr Anthony Anafulu, Mr Chika Chukwumerije Maccido Mohammed and the NTF Secretary-General, Mr Taiwo Oriss.

    Other discussions that came up included para taekwondo, the 2018 NTF calendar and the NTF constituition.

    Chairman of the NTF Technical Committee, Alhaji Sani Lawal, explained the rationale and purpose of the Calendar.

     “You will see from the Calendar that 17 states are covered with a variety of programs – referee, coaching, competitions of all grades- seniors, juniors, cadets and kiddies. Our intention to cover all states in the course of our tenure, in line with the vision of our NTF President. So please we urge everyone to be part of the process so there is uniform development”

    Delegates commended the Federation for having such a rich program for the development of taekwondo in Nigeria.

    With regards to the constitution, the NTF President Binga explained why it was not being deliberated at the congress.

  • Taekwondo: 150 taekwondists for Korean Ambassadors Cup

    Taekwondo: 150 taekwondists for Korean Ambassadors Cup

     

    150 athletes are expected to storm Abuja this weekend to compete in the annual Korean Ambassador’s Cup scheduled to hold on 1 and 2 December 2017 at the National Stadium Package B Abuja.

    The event, which is organized by the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation and sponsored by the Republic of Korea Embassy, has a total of 150 athletes from three countries, 18 Nigerian States, 26 Clubs and the Para Military confirmed, who will be competing the Olympic categories of Male -58kg, -68kg, -80kg and +80kg as well as Female -49kg, -57kg, -67kg, and +67kg

    Teams confirmed include the National Taekwondo Teams of Cameroon, Niger Republic, and Republic of Chad.  Others include athletes from Nasarawa, Delta, Kebbi, Plateau, Niger, Taraba, Ondo, Bayelsa, Anambra, Lagos, Kano, Zamfara, Borno, Abia,

    Yobe, Cross River, NSCDC, A.B.U Zaria and some private taekwondo clubs.Speaking on the readiness to host the event, Chairman of the Technical Committee, Alhaji Sani Lawal.

    “Our committees – events committee and referee committee – have been working tireless over the past few weeks to ensure we

    have a great event. We are more than ready to welcome our practitioners and those from other countries to Abuja.”

    For the Technical Director, 3-time Olympian Chika Chukwumerije, the aim is to start scouting for and exposing the athletes that would represent the country.

    “I am primarily interested in seeing our best athletes right now and making notes. We want to build a formidable national team and we need to know our current arsenal to make a right assessment on the areas we need to work on. Having seen the quality teams registered by Niger Republic and Cameroon especially, I am looking forward to see how our Nigerian teams will rise up to the occasion”

    The Honourable Minister of Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung, is expected to be the guest of honour at the closing ceremony on 2nd Dec which will also have the Ambassador of South Korea in attendance.

    The teams are expected to stay back to compete in the first ever Nigeria Taekwondo Open Championships, holding 9 – 11 December 2017.

  • Taekwondo Federation picks 14 for World Championships

    Taekwondo Federation picks 14 for World Championships

    After a rigorous one-day trial, the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation has picked 17 athletes for the 2017 WTF World Championships holding in Muju, South Korea.

     

    The list is made up of seven female and seven male athletes which include, 2015 African Games gold medalist, Otuadinma Uzoamaka (-73kg) as well as another African Games medalists – Esuku Josephine (-46kg)and Onofe Sunday.

     

    According to the Secretary General of the federation, Oriss Taiwo, the athletes showed determination during the trials, while vowing to improve on this past record if given the opportunity.

     

    “The federation is sure that this crop of athletes with adequate preparations with camping and training can return Nigeria to the world medal table at this event. The athletes showed determination during the trials and vow to improve on this past record if given the opportunity. We believe with the supports of all and the right motivation our taekwondo athletes will do the nation proud,” he said.

     

    Other athletes that made the final cut are Abdullahi Fatimoh (-57kg), Sekinat Adebisi (-49kg), Ndu Chinwe Vivian (-65kg), Dennis Ifeoma Julliet (-67kg) and Ndima Esther Chisomu.

     

    Aside Onofe, other male fighters that made the list are Ghali Zakariya Muhammad (-54kg), Adamu Isa Abubakar (-58kg), Edwin Samson Nduka (-63kg), Santos Ikhuenobe Akhilele Aburime (-72kg), Olushola Segun (-74kg) and Nzelu Chukwudi Henry (-80kg).

     

    The last time Nigeria picked a medal at the World Championship was 25 years when Emmanuel Peters OGHENEJOBO claimed bronze medal but Nigeria’s status globally in the sport became obvious when Chika Yagazie Chukwumerije defied odds to clinch bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in China.

  • Nigeria to miss WTF President’s Cup in Morocco

    Nigeria to miss WTF President’s Cup in Morocco

    Nigeria will be conspicuously missing in the roll call of participating countries at the first World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) President’s Cup holding in Agadir, Morocco.

    According to the Secretary General of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, Oriss Taiwo, the paucity of funds, coupled with the economic recession across the country would not make it possible to make the trip.

    Already, African superpowers in taekwondo – Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Mali and the Niger Republic have confirmed their participation in the three-day championship.

    “I think I can confirm to you categorically that Nigeria will not be presenting a team for the championship although a team from Taraba was trying to make the trip and as it is I don’t think they can make it to Morocco. We are all aware of the economic recession across the country coupled with the paucity of funds, it will be impossible to participate in the tournament. Our focus will be on few tournaments this year because we must ensure we attend crucial competitions. Our target is to ensure we participate in the World Championship in June and other championships that will help to expose our players to international competitions,” Taiwo said.

    This year, Nigerian athletes are yet to compete in any international tournament apart from the US Open that was attended by some athletes based in the United States.

  • Taekwondo Federation honours Obasanjo, Dalung, others

    Taekwondo Federation honours Obasanjo, Dalung, others

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung and retired Lt.-Gen. Inuwa Wushishi are to be honoured by the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation.

    The award is part of activities lined up by the federation to mark the 2016 edition of the annual Korean Ambassador’s Taekwondo Championship, slated for Dec. 8 to Dec. 10 in Lagos.

    The President of the federation, George Ashiru, said in a statement on Tuesday that the championship would be used to mark the 30th anniversary of the body.

    He said that the recipients were being honoured for their immense contributions to the growth of the federation.

    Ashiru said that the event, sponsored by the Korean Cultural Centre, would hold at the Molade Okoya Thomas Hall at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.

    According to him, the event is geared toward boosting sports development and bilateral relations between Nigeria and South Korea.

    “It is noteworthy that this is the 30th year of establishing the Taekwondo Federation in Nigeria. It was formed in 1986 and inaugurated in 1987.

    “We are giving out awards in recognition of the people who have in one way or the other supported the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation tactically, politically and materially.

    “These Nigerians will be honoured during the competition holding between Dec.8 and Dec. 10 for uplifting the sport in Nigeria.

    “Former President Olusegun Obasanjo incepted the training of taekwondo in the National Library, he personally supports, visits and enrolled his grand children.

    “The minister for sports for second time in a row will be physically present at the event and deserves special recognition.”

    Ashiru explained that the history of taekwondo would never be complete without the mention of Inuwa Wushishi, who used his good office as the Chief of Army staff to propagate taekwondo in the Nigerian Army.

    “We will like to honour the gentleman, who signed the bilateral agreement that brought in the first set of Korean instructors officially to Nigeria when he was the chief of army staff.

    “One of the two instructors brought in by Wushishi later became the first national coach, who took the pioneer national team to the All Africa Games in 1987 which I was part of.

    “We think it’s time, 30 years after, for the federation to remember the man that started taekwondo in the Nigerian Army, which the army is now benefiting from.”

    Ashiru disclosed that all the awardees had confirmed that they would be present to receive their awards.

  • Nigeria Taekwondo Federation at 30: Obasanjo, Dalung, Wushishi, others to bag awards

    The President of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, Grand Master George Ashiru has revealed that the 2016 edition of the annual Korean Ambassador’s Taekwondo championship will be used to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the federation in Nigeria.

    The event taking place at the Molade Okoya Thomas Hall of the Teslim Balogun stadium and sponsored by the Korean Cultural centre ‘with their other chosen partners’ is geared towards enhancing sports development and bilateral relations.
    It will have eminent Nigerians including a Former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Minister of Youth and Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung, a former Chief of Army staff, Lt. General Inuwa Wushishi (rtd) amongst others bagging awards for their immense contributions to the federation.

    Ashiru said, “It is noteworthy that this is the 30th year of establishing the Taekwondo federation in Nigeria. It was formed in 1986 and inaugurated in 1987.”

    We are giving out awards in recognition of the people who have in one way or the other supported the Nigerian Taekwondo Federation tactically, politically and meterially.

    Explaining why these Nigerians will be honored during the competition holding between the 8th and 10th of December, Ashiru said they have contributed in no small way to uplift the sport in Nigeria.

    “Former President Olusegun Obasanjo incepted the training of taekwondo in the National Library. He personally supports, visits and enrolled his grand children. Considering his support for various areas of sports in Nigeria, I think the federation will like to appreciate him”.

    On the choice of Barrister Solomon Dalung as one of the notable recipients, the former National champion told journalists that the Minister of Sports for the second time in a row will be physically present at the event and deserves special recognition.
    “Supporting us as we are preparing for the Olympics trials and standing with our federation during the good times and the trying times. We think, he is the head and father of sports at this juncture in Nigerian history. We will like to honor him.”

    Ashiru explained further that writing the history of the sports and the federation will never be complete without the mention of Inuwa Wushishi who used his good office as the Chief of Army staffs to propagate the gospel of the sports in the Nigerian Army.

    “We will like to honor the gentleman who signed the bilateral agreement that brought in the first set of Korean instructors officially to Nigeria when he was the Chief of Army staff. ”

    According to Ashiru, one of the two instructors brought in by Wushishi later became the first national coach who took the pioneer national team to the All Africa Games in 1987 which he was part of.
    “We think it’s time, 30 years after, for the federation to remember the good work this man did to have started taekwondo in the Nigerian Army which the Army is now benefiting from.”
    He concluded that all recipients have confirmed their presence after they were contacted.

  • ‘Why govt must invest in sports’

    ‘Why govt must invest in sports’

    With over 70 per cent  of the country’s population below 30, investing in sports should be the priority of any rational government in order to engage the youth in dissipating energy on meaningful activities.

    These was the view of the President, Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF), George Ashiru, who believes sports is a vital vehicle that government can use to engage the unemployed youths as well as improve their livelihood.

    “I want to tell you that regardless of any government that will rule this country in 2015, it is important for such government to consider sports as a tool to engage the 70 per cent population which is made up of youths below 30. All the vices taking place across the country can be curbed or totally curtailed if the government can invest seriously in sports. Sports is a global tool being used by powerful nations to engage their youths and Nigeria should not be an exception,” he said.

    The Vice President, Commonwealth Taekwondo Union (CTU) added: “An investment in sports will surely rub off on the economic development of the country because some of these youths will be meaningfully engaged and they will be responsible citizens that will make their impact on the country. Apart from the good image that sports will give to the country, it will change the fortune of unemployed youths.”

    In more than three decades, Ashiru has been involved in sports, especially taekwondo as an athlete, coach and at present administrator. “I started taekwondo at 11 and it has really affected me positively that through the sports, I have imbibed some virtues that have helped me in life. So apart from the economic gains of sports, it inculcates virtues on athletes through its major tenets, which is discipline and hardwork.”

    He, however, praised the immense contribution that Beijing Olympic medalist, Chika Chukwumerije has made on taekwondo in Nigeria, while appealing to Nigerians to stop pressurizing the athlete r for upcoming athletes to take over from the Olympian.

    Among the 2015 goals listed by the NTF boss include recruiting and training future champions under the ‘Strategic Initiative for Taekwondo (SIFT) as well as ensuring that the country participates in high ranking tournaments to garner enough points for the 2016 Olympic Games.