Technical Director of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF), Chika Chukwumerije has achieved another first for Nigeria as the Beijing Olympic bronze medalist has been certified by the World Taekwondo (WT) as one of the pioneer global educators. Chukwumerije who was among the selected 28 technical officials from 24 countries gained the certification following the completion […]
via World Taekwondo Certifies Chukwumerije As Global Educator — finixsportsblog
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 […]
via Taekwondo: 150 Taekwondists Set For Korean Ambassadors Cup — newfanzoneblog
…As NTF explores possibility of introducing Taekwondo The Nigeria Taekwondo Federation visited the “Farm Center” internally displaced persons [IDP] camp in Maiduguri, Borno state over the weekend. The objective of the visit was to distribute some Taekwondo equipment and explore the possibility of introducing Taekwondo to a couple of the IDP camps. During the visit, […]
via Nigeria Taekwondo Federation Inspires Kids At IDP Camp In Maiduguri — newfanzoneblog
The Margaret Binga-led board of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation will give priority to athletes as well as grassroots development of the sport. Binga, who was inaugurated in Abuja as the first female President of the federation promised to restore the glory of Nigeria in taekwondo continentally and globally. In her acceptance speech, the former two-time […]
via Taekwondo federation will focus on athletes, grassroots – Binga — newfanzoneblog
The Main Organising Committee of the Korean Ambassador Cup has reiterated its commitment towards organising a hitchfree 2016 edition of the Korean Ambassador’s Taekwondo championship holding at the Teslim Balogun stadium, Lagos from the 8th to the 10th of December. According to the Chairman of the MOC, the President of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, Grandmaster […]
via Korean Ambassador’s Taekwondo Championship MOC Committed To a Hitchfree Event — newfanzoneblog
200 kids/students across the country have confirmed their attendance of the Chika Chukwumerije Sports Foundation (CCSF) International Taekwondo Open taking place at the Brickhall School, Abuja on Saturday December 5.
The event, which is sanctioned by the FCT Taekwondo Association and supported by the Board of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF), has kids from schools and clubs across FCT and the seven states in the North Central part of Nigeria are expected at the event.
Clubs from other states like Benue State, Imo State, Cross River, and Kaduna have also indicated interest in being part of the program.
According to an official statement released by the organizers, the objective of the event is to “Produce prospective future Olympians and World Champions; Expose kids to the latest technological gadgets and technical experience available in the sport; Build the confidence and experience of the kids through competitive experience; and Foster a healthy social interaction between kids from different communities.
According to the program coordinator, Kemi Isaac, who is an officer with the NSCDC and a Taekwondo Black-Belt practitioner, “The kids deserve the exact same attention and opportunities given to the adults during the highly successful edition held 4 weeks ago, as the kids are the future Olympians and World Champions that must be groomed from today”
For the Proprietor of Brickhall School, Senator Joy Emodi, the event is a game-changer. “There is no parent who will not be excited for their wards practicing taekwondo to be part of a quality program like this. The importance of ensuing that extra-curricular activities like sports are intertwined with the education of our children to solidify their development and improve their social skills cannot be over-emphasized.”
For Chief Executive Officer of CCSF, Chika Chukwumerije, who is a 3-time Olympian and a Beijing 2008 Olympic Bronze Medalist, the emphasis is on exposing the young ones at a young age to increase Nigeria’s chances of getting more Olympians in the future.
“It is a special event because the kids are going to be using the same Daedo electronic system being used at the RIO 2016 Olympics, and the sky will truly be their limit is we sustain this kind of programme over the next 10 years”
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]](https://finixsports.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/mrs-binga-in-action-against-fatimoh-abdullahi-57kg-nigeria-taekwondo-federation-e1440954323146.jpg)
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.
“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.
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.
Commonwealth gold medalists, Abubakar Adamu Isah and Mohammed Jamilu topped the list of 16 athletes listed by the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF) for the 2015 African Games in Congo Brazzaville.
Isah, who will be competing in the men’s-54kg, is one of the experienced athletes in the team having featured at the 2014 World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) World Junior Championship in Chinese Taipei as well as the maiden at the 2014 Africa Youth Games in Gaborone, Botswana.
![Medallists at 2014 Commonwealth Taekwondo Games [L-R: Adaeze Asigbe, Chika Chukwumerije, Shola Olowookere, Jamilu Mohammed, Esuku Josephine, Segun Olushola, Adamu Abubakar Isah, Uzoamaka Otuadinma, Ebere Blessing Nwakanma]](https://finixsports.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/4-medallists-at-2014-commonwealth-games-e1440105574944.jpg)
Like Isah, Jamilu (-58kg) is also an established taekwondist having won gold at the 2011 African Games in Mozambique as we as a quarterfinalist at the 2015 Alexandria Open in Egypt.
In the absence of his sibling, Chika, 2011 African Games gold medalist and captain of Team Nigeria, Uche Chukwumerije who will jostle for a medal in the men’s +87kg will also be part of the team.
Another experience taekwondist in the team is 2011 African Games bronze medalist, Sunday Onofe who will fight for a medal in the men’s -80kg.
Other members of the men’s team are Edwin Samson Nduka (-63kg), Kolade Paul (-68kg), Olushola Segun (-74kg), and Ayodele Temitope Ebenezer (-87kg).
2014 African Championship bronze medalist, Joy Ekhator (-49kg) will lead the female team as the most experienced athlete.
Others are Jimoh Morufat (-46kg), Chinazum Nwosu (-52kg), Fatimoh Abdullahi (-57kg), Ndu Vivian (-63kg), Ifeoma Dennis (-67kg), Uzoamaka Otuadinma (-73kg) and Esther Uzoukwu (+73kg).
At the last African Games in Mozambique, Nigeria settled for fourth place with two gold, one silver and seven bronze medals while Egypt, Tunisia and Senegal finished as the top three teams in the taekwondo event.
To put the athletes in the right frame of mind ahead of the 11th All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville, President of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF), George Ashiru is organising a one-day training seminar for athletes.
The one-day seminar holds at the Business Club, Ikeja Fitness Centre in Lagos on Saturday June 27 and it will be personally taught by the NTF president.
In a statement issued and signed by Ashiru, current national champions are expected to attend the six-hour programme of physical and competition training as well as motivational talks.
Ashiru, who was pioneer Nigerian Welterweight Champion and was part of the historic first national Taekwondo team to the 4th All Africa Games in Nairobi Kenya in 1987, That team of 7 young men won 3 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 bronze medal…a feat that that has yet to be surpassed by subsequent national teams to various All Africa Games since then will bring his experience as an athlete to fore during the training exercise.
As the first former international champion to become the national president for Taekwondo, Ashiru hopes to bring that 1987 spirit back to 2015 by building on their superlative commonwealth championship of 2014 which produced an unprecedented 10 medals including 4 gold medals.
It added that the seminar hopes to inspire the current national team to produce a record breaking performance at the Brazzaville games coming up in September.
After launching Team Chika Chukwumerije Sports Foundation (CCSF) in Abuja on Monday, 2008 Beijing Olympics bronze medallist, Chika Chukwumerije has said that the aim of the team is to engage the youth in meaningful activities that will affect them positively.
Speaking at the well-attended event on Monday, the 2007 All Africa Games gold medallist said: “It is true that one of our goals is to produce National Champions within the first three years, continental Champions within the first six years and Olympic medallists within the first decade. However, this is not what our focus will be on. Our focus will be to help young people discover and express themselves. Our focus is to help young people learn a lot of soft skills not taught in traditional learning institutions. Our focus will be on building their character, and helping them appreciate all the virtues that mankind holds dear – humility, hard work, kindness, team work, indomitable spirit, loyalty, patriotism, courage and many more.”
He added: “This is what drives TEAM CCSF: the desire to see young people come to us with empty minds, and end up have open minds that see opportunities to be harnessed from every situation and challenge. We teach them to fight hard, to fight strong and to fight fair; we teach them to look adversity in the face, and refuse to back down; we teach them to be kind and honest, patient and hardworking. We teach them to constantly improve themselves and learn new things. We teach them to watch out for each other and be the ultimate selfless team players.”
For 18-year old, Itiku Peter, the event is a dream come true. “Since we started training a few months ago, we feel a lot more confident about the future. We do not just do only taekwondo training, but we do many other activities, like language course, event management courses and sabon Chika is also hammering us on our behaviour and character”
Also 13 year old Bukola Ogunnusi, a senior class two student of the Government Secondary School, Garki, described the launching as an avenue for her to build herself. “This is like the second event we have had in 3 weeks. We have learnt so much about organzing events, and it has built our character. We love the hard training, and all the extra activities that go with it. We are very happy and hope we can get a lot of support for our team.”
Some of the dignitaries that attended the event included Dr Mrs Toyin Aluko, representing the Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC); Alhaji Alim Mohammed, Director of Sports, FCT Sports Department; Principal of G.S.S Garki Abuja, Mrs Veronica Okonkwo, Assistant Head of the NSC Coaching Department, Mrs Jideonwu George.
Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF) Board Members representing the North-Central, North-West and North-East, Mr Tony Anafulu, Alhaji Muh’d Maccido Garba and Mr Ado Umar Garko, were also present, alongside the 1st Vice-Chairman of FCT Taekwondo Association, Mr Abdulmunin Yusuf.
To fulfil his dream of grooming educated taekwondo champion, three-time Olympian, Chika Chukwumerije will today in Abuja launch Team Chika Chukwumerije Sports Foundation (CCSF).
According to the 2008 Beijing Olympics medallist, the launching will be attended by the Director General, National Sports Commission (NSC) as well as officials of FCT Education Board and it holds at Government Secondary School, Garki.
“TEAM CCSF [Taekwondo] is a youth-oriented team whose objective is to Produce National, Continental and Olympic Champions in its ranks within the first decade and to ensure its Members continue and finish their formal education (secondary and tertiary) to a logical end. It also aims to engage its members with extra-curricular learning activities i.e. language courses, event management courses, networking forums and to enhance their out-of-school learning experience,” Chukwumerije said.
He added: “The launch is a culmination of a long year of recruitment and engagement of young Nigerians, with select G.S.S schools at the heart of this exercise, and executed totally free of charge. It is therefore with pleasure that we expect your company at the launch to celebrate your youthful generation, whose development so far in the sport is as a result of our collective engagement.
The event will also be attended by the board of Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF) led by its president, George Ashiru.
“The above objective is in line with the vision of the Foundation which is to “produce educated champions and inspire the future” through the Olympic sport of Taekwondo. TEAM CCSF is one such vehicle CCSF intends to use to achieve this vision,” the All Africa Games champion said.
The 40 participants at this year’s Chika Chukwumerije Sports Foundation (CCSF) taekwondo workshop concluded in Abuja at the weekend believe the training exercise has enriched their knowledge of the sport.
The three-day workshop which was the fifth edition was well attended by taekwondo experts across the country including some board members of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF).
For Dickson Adoga of Benue State, attending the camp has afforded him the opportunity to increase his confidence as understand the new techniques in the sport.
“The workshop is an avenue for me to train myself to become a champion because I gained a lot of experience and I learnt new techniques of taekwondo. For me I feel CCSF is an avenue to become a champion like Chika Chukwumerije, who is using his time and resources to nurture champions for the country,” Adoga said.
Also, Kehinde Olawoyin of Oyo State said the exercise has widened his knowledge of the sport as well as made him to realize that he must take his education serious while competing as an athlete.
Olawoyin said: “It is an opportunity to learn things and develop on the ones you already know. First of all, I learnt how to become a team player. I learnt how to combine sports and education, and also planning an event. I feel CCSF is still the best NGO that caters for my teammates and I. Programmes like this are not easy and it takes a good heart to organize one.”
For 19 year-old University of Lagos undergraduate, Nurudeen Hassan, the training has provided him a platform to relate with other athletes across the country.
“It is a huge stepping stone for my career in taekwondo. The endurance training, poomsae and fitness training will go a long way in me. CCSF is a very good platform for athletes but I would love it to be extended to other states. I see that they are updated on taekwondo information, equipment and technology which I have never used before,” Hassan revealed.
For 13 year-old Bukola Ogunnusi, the efforts of CCSF must be supported as their programmes would surely help to unearth talents and give the right orientation to athletes.
“It is a big deal for me attending the workshop because I interacted with people from all walks of life, and I learnt a lot of taekwondo skills from national coaches and grandmasters. Aside this, a lot of things like my basic poomsae, and lot of kicks that I never knew existed were leant. I feel that CCSF is a great team and their efforts with the programme would build a lot of champions for Nigeria,” Ogunnusi said.
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