Olympian, Chukwumerije inspires 172 taekwondo kids in Lagos

Action during the CCSF-inspired workshop

In continuation of its “Inspire the Future Campaign” launched last year, three time Olympian and founder/chief executive officer of Chika Chukwumerije Sports Foundation (CCSF), Chika Chukwumerije at the weekend in Lagos inspired 172 taekwondo Kiddies between the ages of 4 and 16.

The event which was held at the Abesan Comprehensive School, Abesan Estate, Opaja, Lagos, witnessed scores of parents and members of the public come to watch the martial art maestro inspire the kids.

The programme included aerobic drills, plyometric exercises, co-ordination and agility training, basic taekwondo movements, and a mini kiddies’ competition.

At the end of the programme, many parents who came to watch their kids as well as see the three-time Olympian were not disappointed.

Mrs. Irabor Oyakwe said, “I have five children and all of them do Taekwondo. They were all inspired to start after they saw Chika Chukwumerije on TV. We are really grateful that he could come here. Look at the number of kids here from different clubs in Lagos, looking so excited and happy. It is really worth it”

Chika Chukwumerije sparring with a 13year old participant

Another parent, Michael Ugboko, who is also a World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) 3rd class International Taekwondo Referee and whose three kids attended the workshop, commended the CCSF initiative, noting the large difference in quality of coaching methodology on show at the workshop. He urged the CCSF to continue to add value through its annual competition and practical workshops.

Special guest of honour and double All Africa Games gold medallist as well as the current Vice-President of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF), Mrs. Margaret Elizabeth Binga, was in attendance to witness the inspirational event.

Speaking to the kids at the end of the event, she stressed to the kids, the importance of participating in sporting activities, while excelling in their education, especially the female child.

Group Photo of “Inspire the Future” campaign participants

The Nigeria Female Taekwondo legend, who was undefeated for 18 years in Nigeria (1989 – 2006), is an officer with the Nigeria Customs Service, and the only female executive in any of the National Sports Federations, stressed to the female kids that “education combined with sports, apart from the obvious intellectual benefits, would equip you with the right kind of emotional and psychological tools necessary to be strong, independent and society-building women.”

Chief Instructor of the Host Club, Lucky Ogumelen, thanked CCSF for honouring its invitation, and commended the quality of the training programme,

“Practically everyone that came today has never trained with ladders, cones nor done some of the exciting training drills Chukwumerije gave to them. Thus participants, not only gained a lot of inspiration, but also increased their wealth of practical knowledge. The kiddies’ experience with the Olympian would inspire and remain with them forever”.

CCSF boss, Chika Chukwumerije, remained reflective after the event, “the spread of Taekwondo nationwide is impressive, but there is a lot of work to be done in transferring the right kind of knowledge to upcoming Taekwondo athletes across the country.”

He commended the instructors for the “fantastic job they were doing at the grassroots level, and encouraged them to take advantage of the National Coaching course the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, led by George Ashiru, would organize in a couple of months, to update their coaching methods”

He again reiterated the need for the private sector to support Africa’s fastest growing Olympic Sport, “We need the private sector to take advantage of growing numbers and invest in what could be the ultimate CSR program. The Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, NGOs like mine, and various clubs across the country, need a lot of support in training these kids, whose numbers are doubling every other week.

Driving home advantages of programmes like this, he added, “genuine taekwondo training programme do not just develop people who kick and punch, they develop young minds to be creative, productive and problem-solving members of Nigerian society”
CCSF Boss vowed to continue nurturing the CCSF vision of “producing educated champions and inspiring the future.”

Group Photo of “Inspire the Future” campaign participants

Abesan Estate hosts Olympian, Chukwumerije

As part of efforts to popularize taekwondo as well as to take the sport to grassroots level, three-time Olympian, Chika Chukwumerije will be hosted to a one-day workshop with kids by a club in Abesan Estate in Ipaja Area of Lagos. The event holds on Saturday April 19 at Abesan High School by 7am.

Kids across Lagos are expected to be part of the exercise hosted by the Fitness and Kickers Taekwondo Academy.
According to the Chief instructor of the academy, Lucky Ogumelen, the visit by one Africa’s finest taekwondists would surely inspire kids in the area to aim high in the sport and their academics.

“For us hosting Chika Chukwumerije is indeed a privilege which I know will indeed benefit the athletes. We are grateful that the Beijing Olympics medalist had accepted to be our guest and we are hoping that kids in the area will turnout with their parents and guardians to be part of the event, which is a once a lifetime experience,” he said.

For Chukwumerije, the event is part of his vision to inspire the future athletes, which is also one of the objectives of Chika Chukwumerije Sports Foundation (CCSF).

Nigeria’s Bashir bags gold medal at International Taekwondo Tourney in Columbia

Few days after Uche Perez Chukwumerije claimed gold at the 2014 Belgian Open, another Nigerian, United States-based Saturday Bashir clinched gold medal in the welterweight division at the 2nd Columbia International Taekwondo Championships, held in Cali, Columbia.

The seven-day tournament, which ends on Wednesday April 9, had athletes from Switzerland, Philippines, Nigeria, Canada, Ghana, Benin, Chile, U.S, Panama, Venezuela, Ecuador, Guyana, and host – Columbia.

Bashir, a 2013 Korean Opens gold medalist, defeated his opponent from Columbia 12 – 7 in the first fight, Chile 8 – 0 in the second fight, before going to stamp his supremacy over Ghana 10 – 8 in the final to win gold medal.

His opponent in the final Ghana’s Anthony Adjetey is ranked 14th in the world and with this result, this gives a clear indication of how
Team Nigeria might fare over their African counterparts in next year’s All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville.

Bashir represented Nigeria at the 2013 World Team Cup, and it was his performance at the 2014 US Opens, that made him to be among the few selected athletes fully sponsored to the championships in Columbia.

The sponsorship includes full return airfare, feeding, registration fees, medical costs and provision of hydration supplements.

This performance excited the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF) that its elite athletes are showing top form, as the Rio 2016 Olympics is barely 28 months away. NTF athletes’ representative, Chika Chukwumerije, hailed the wonderful week in which personal sacrifice, determination and hard work of Nigeria taekwondo’s elite athletes brought collective glory to Nigeria.

“Saturday Bashir was my teammate to the 2007 All Africa Games. Back then; he was technically sound, physically fit and very hardworking. He is an athlete whose profile inspires our young athletes, and once again, he represented Nigeria well”,” the Beijing Olympics medalist said.

He added that the success stories of Uche and Saturday would “go a long way in motivating the young upcoming athletes, and has set a winning example that can be followed.”

NTF President, George Ashiru, on behalf of the board and Nigeria taekwondo community, has sent his congratulations to Saturday in Columbia, and urged all elite athletes to continue to grab international exposure and ranking points wherever they can.

However, one of the organizers Columbia championships, Edwin Montoya, who is also the Director of the Specialized Centre Taekwondo in Columbia, noted “he was very pleased with the diversity of countries, and especially with the presence of athletes from Africa, which is not very common, thus allowing better understanding and exchange among all cultures.”

Nigeria’s Bashir (in blue) at the 2013 World Team Cup

Chukwumerije claims gold medal at 2014 Belgian Open

Nigeria’s pedigree in taekwondo received a boost at the weekend when Team Nigeria taekwondo captain to the 2011 All Africa Games, Uche Perez Chukwumerije clinched a gold medal at the 25th Belgian Opens.

The tournament, which is a Grade One World Taekwondo Federation (WTF)-sanctioned competition have athletes across the globe competing to amass points for their world rating.

Uche Perez is brother and mentor to triple Olympian, Chika Chukwumerije, whose engagement with the National Youth Team to the 2014 Junior World Championships in Chinese Taipei, caused Chika to miss the opportunity to gain vital ranking points alongside his older brother.

To win the gold, Uche defeated Rob Van Der Ploeg of Netherlands 2-1 in a terse opening bout, defeated Josip Mara of Croatia 14-2 in the semifinals, before completing the trilogy by flooring Hicham Massaoudi of Germany 4-1 in a very tactical final.

The current All Africa gold medalist, whose current World ranking as of February 2014, is 33, has earned a valuable 10 points that would impact positively on his world ranking which is due to be released this week.

He needs to be top 31 in the World to be eligible to compete at the Grand Prix Series, an exclusive Tournament series reserved for the World’s top 31 athletes in the eight weight categories. Top six qualifies automatically for the Rio 2016 Olympics.

Speaking from the Topsporthall Vlaanderen Arena in Zuiderlaan, Gent, Belgium, the African middleweight champion spoke of his delight in winning his first competitive championship since his last outing at the 2013 World Taekwondo Championships in Mexico.

“I am happy that I won. This was my first competition since the World Championships last year, so I was a bit nervous. It is very important that I got some world ranking points. It is good for Nigeria and increases our chances for RIO 2016 Olympics. I hope I can repeat the same feat next weekend at the German Opens, next month at the African Senior Championships and at other tournaments scheduled for me this year.” Hopefully, I would earn enough points to break into the Top 30 ranking this year,” he said.

He noted the importance of going for international competitions to earn world ranking points,

“The Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF) led by George Ashiru, has encouraged and mandated elite athletes to earn points, while the NTF focuses on developing young athletes. Hence, my focus in 2014 is on earning those important points and fine-tuning my competitive skills, so I can be in prime shape by 2015, which is a key year for Elite athletes,” he added.

Uche Chukwumerije (in red) at the 2011 All Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique. He won gold at the weekend at the 2014 Belgian Opens

Team Nigeria arrives Taipei for WTF Youth Olympics qualifiers

The nine-man contingent of Team Nigeria at the weekend arrived Taipei City in Chinese Taipei in readiness for the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF)-organised 2014 Youth Olympics Qualifiers, which kicks on Thursday March 20.

With support from the National Sports Commission (NSC) and under the guidance of the new national coach, Jin Beom Kim, the duo of Esther Godwin (-63kg) and Ogeh Ogochukwu (49kg) will weigh-in on Wednesday March 19, while the draw will also hold same day. They are expected to fight on Thursday march 20.

Iniobong Ekong, Husseini Isah and Bashir Muhammad will weigh in on Thursday March 20 while they are to fight on Friday March 21.

For Ekong, her confidence has improved having undergone training prior to the tournament.

“This is the first time I will be competing for Nigeria, and I feel great about it. I feel like I can win a medal. I have finished my secondary school, but I have not registered for JAMB because of funds. I hope this trip can open an opportunity so I can be given a scholarship.

In Taipei, I expect to see other young people like me, but they have arms and legs like us. The camping experience has been good, because I have learnt many things and my stamina has improved,” the National Youth Games gold medalist said.

According to board member of Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF), Chika Chukwumerije, the team has a good chance to make it to the Olympics.

“Two or three of them stand a slight chance, but I do not expect them to win medals on their very first international competition with no prior international experience and extended training. They are all eager to do well and win medals; their drive and passion is worth all the investment,” the Beijing Olympics medalist said.

He added: “For me, participation will change their lives; they will see new places, meet young people from all over the world, form healthy relationships, and learn new competitive tactics and strategies.

The inspiration from this trip would ensure and guarantee future success. Most importantly, it would increase Nigeria taekwondo chances for next year’s All Africa Games and 2016 Rio Olympics. They are the future of Nigeria taekwondo.”

“A good investment now would surely increase the size of medal dividends in the next decade. I hope they get scholarships, endorsements, training aids/equipment and every other pampering that is important for the development of a young athlete, so they can grow into mature confident adult competitors and leaders,” he explained.

Taekwondists in high spirit for WTF Youth Olympics qualifiers, World junior championships

The taekwondists during a training session with the national coach in Abuja at the weekend

For being selected to be part of Team Nigeria to this month’s World Taekwondo Federation Youth Olympics qualifiers as well as the world junior championships in Chinese Taipei, the athletes are all in high spirit in readiness for the global tournaments.

With the nine invited all gold medalists at the maiden National Youth Games, the contingent are in Abuja tuning up for the championships scheduled for March 20 to 27.

The captain of the team, Shola Olowookere of Lagos State said: “I feel great to be representing Nigeria for the very first time. It has not been difficult to combine my school with participating in sports. The camp has been interactive, and we have learnt so much from each other.”

Also Mohammed Bashir of Yobe said: “Training in camp has been educative, and I have learnt a lot. Speed techniques and movement are some of those key areas I have learnt some things. I hope I can win a medal in Taiwan Insha Allah.

“It exposes the youth to international competition, and makes us to feel the Olympics is not only for the adults but for us again. It feels great to be one of the people to participate in this upcoming championships representing Nigeria. By the special grace of God, we will make Nigeria proud,” said Abdullah Adegoke of Osun State.

Also, Adegoke’s sibling, Luqman said: “I feel ready, but I know we need to train harder to become even better. The camp was very short, but with the little time, we are ready. At the Junior Olympics, I expect to see young people like us. The camp has been very lively, and I have enjoyed it.”

For Iniobong Ekong of Bayelsa, representing Nigeria is a big honour. “This is the first time I will be competing for Nigeria, and I feel great about it. I feel like I can win a medal. I have finished my secondary school, but I have not taken JAMB to enroll in the university because of funds. I hope this trip can open an opportunity so I can be given a scholarship. In Taipei, I expect to see other young people like me, but they have arms and legs like us. The little camp has been good, because I have learnt many things and my stamina has increased,” she said.

However, 2008 Beijing Olympics medalist, Chika Chukwumerije highlighted the gains for the athletes.
“Two or three of them stand a slight chance, but I do not expect them to win medals on their very first international competition with no prior international experience and extended training. They are all eager to do well and win medals; their drive and passion is worth all the investment. For me, participation will change their lives; they will see new places, meet young people from all over the world, form healthy relationships, and learn new competitive tactics and strategies. The inspiration from this trip would ensure and guarantee future success. Most importantly, it would increase Nigeria Taekwondo chances for next year’s AAG and Rio Olympics.”

“They are the future of Nigeria Taekwondo. A good investment now would surely increase the size of medal dividends in the next decade. I hope they get scholarships, endorsements, training aids/equipment and every other pampering that is important for the development of a young athlete, so they can grow into mature confident adult competitors and leaders,” Team Nigeria captain to the London 2012 Olympics said.

Taekwondists begin camping for Youth Olympics qualifiers, junior championships in Chinese Taipe

The new national taekwondo coach, Jin Beom Kim began his first assignment as nine athletes are at present in camp for the Youth Olympics Qualifiers cum World Junior Champions holding this month in Taipei, Chinese Taipei.

In a letter singed by the President, World Taekwondo Federation (WTF), Chungwon Choue, the 10th WTF Junior Championship and Youth Olympics Qualifiers would help the athletes to display their skills to the full.

“I expect that the 10th WTF World Junior Taekwondo Championships and the WTF Qualification Tournament for 2014 Nanjing Youth Olympic Games will serve as an opportunity for the youth to display their skills to the full and also to exchange friendship among the youth from all parts of the globe,” the WTF boss said.

However, the nine athletes at the Abuja camp are all gold medalists at the maiden National Youth Games organized by the National Sports Commission (NSC) and they are expected to represent Nigeria at the two events on March 20 to 26.

The athletes made up of five male and four female will undergo intensive training under the tutelage of the Korean tactician in Abuja.
Aside from the Chinese Taipei tournament, the team will have another opportunity to qualify for the Youth Olympics at the African Youth Championships later in the year.

According to a taekwondo buff, the tournament would help to expose the athletes as most of them are below 18 as the likes of Chika Chukwumerije and Britain’s Jade Mary Jones, who won gold at the maiden Youth Olympics and went further to claim the first gold medal in taekwondo for Britain at the 2012 London Olympics.

“I am hoping that these athletes will attend these two competitions for them to be exposed and get the needed experience to compete at big stage. If at all they are not able to win any medal, I think participating alone will help the country to groom new set of athletes that will take over from the likes of Chukwumerije,” he said.