Ahead African Games: Former Africa Champion Boosts Taekwondo Team…

Ahead African Games: Former Africa Champion Boosts Taekwondo Team, Showers N.2M On Contingent

Two-time African Games gold medalist, Margaret Elizabeth Binga, in company of fellow African Champion, Chika Chukwumerije, stormed the National Taekwondo Camp in Abuja to inspire and share first-hand knowledge with the chosen athletes to the Taekwondo event of the 2015 All Africa Games, holding in Congo Brazzaville in a fortnight.

Over the weekend, the retired maestro, who is also the current Vice-President of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation and a World Taekwondo Federation International Referee, who will also be officiating at the 2015 AAG donned her Taekwondo gear to share tactical and practical fighting tips with the team, who are currently camped in Abuja.

Mrs Binga in action against Fatimoh Abdullahi [-57kg]

Mrs Binga explained why she flew down just to see the athletes.

“The aim is to use our past Champions to inspire the future ones, and to transfer real knowledge that would be of use to the Nigeria representatives. Being an official for the 2015 AAG and an official at almost every major WTF tournament this year, i felt it was important and a duty to pass down my knowledge and experience to our next generation of stars.”

Head of the NTF Coaching Department, Tony Anafulu was also present alongside the two of indigenous coaches – John Victor and Abdul-malik Mohammed – who will be leading the team to Congo Brazzaville, and have been working very hard over the past weeks with the team.

Mrs Binga, who is also an officer with the Nigeria Customs Service, and to be inducted into the World Taekwondo Hall of Fame next month was quick to recognize and praise the efforts of the indigenous coaches.

NTF Vice-President illustrates a legal technique to the athletes

“The Coaches are doing a good job so far, and I know the tactical tempo will be raised in the remaining two weeks to get the team battle-ready. Meanwhile I will continue to give the technical crew and athletes all the support I can.”

The athletes’ expressed their joy to our correspondent through the Female Captain, 21 year old Chinazum Nwosu who competes in the -52kg, and is the current National Champion in that weight category.

“We learnt valuable tips that would hopefully make a difference in Congo, and the Vice-President went one step further in matching her words with action by the token she gave to the team.”

“The VP came here, gave us valuable competition tips and crowned it with all with N200, 000 as a motivational token. Our morale has been reinvigorated and we are determined to do our best to make Nigeria proud at the AAG.” Ms. Chinazum declared.

NTF Vice-President illustrates a legal technique to the athletes

Final list includes: defending AAG Gold Medallists, Uche Chukwumerije [+87kg], who will captain the 16-man team, and Jamilu Mohammed [-58kg].

Other AAG medallists that make the team are 2011 AAG Bronze Medallist, Sunday Onofe [-80kg], and 2011 Bronze Medallist, Joy Ekhator [-49kg] who also won a Silver in the 2007 edition.

Commonwealth Gold Medallists, Abubakar Isah Adamu [-54kg], Josephine Esuku [-46kg]. Other Commonwealth Medallists that made the team were Segun Olushola [-74kg] and Uzoamaka Otuadinma [-72kg].

Other members of the team include: Edwin Samson Nduka (-63kg), Kolade Paul (-68kg), Ayodele Temitope Ebenezer (-87kg), Chinazum Nwosu (-52kg), Fatimoh Abdullahi (-57kg), Ndu Vivian (-63kg), Ifeoma Dennis (-67kg), and Esther Uzoukwu (+73kg)

The Taekwondo event of the 2015 African Games will be taking place 16 – 19 August 2015.