Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Jaguar teams at the weekend ruled the 5th Korean Ambassador’s Taekwondo Championship.
NSCDC, the defending champion in the male category retained the title it won in 2013 after beating Oyo to the podium in the final while NSCDC female team could not repeat the feat of their male counterparts as they lost to Jaguar team at the three-day tournament held at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre, Rowe Park in Lagos.
In the presence of the Minister of Sports/Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), Tammy Danagogo, who described Taekwondo as a sport with a lot of potential for Nigeria at international tournaments, NSCDC were at their best to clinch the coveted trophy.
Chika Chukwumerije at the Beijing 2008 Olympics where he won a bronze medal.
I have come to know that Taekwondo is one sport where Nigeria has lots of potentials and I am really impressed and elated that every effort is being made by the federation, government at all levels particularly the states and federal government and of course private individuals and corporate organization to ensure that we harness these talents for podium performances in future ,” the minister said.
To clinch the title for the second time, NSCDC overcame Oyo 37-22 points.
An excited member of the NSCDC male team, Bright Kolade attributed the victory to hardwork.
“We are the defending champions and I am so happy we won again this year. This is the second gold we are winning as a team in this tournament which makes it interesting because it is coming back to back. Special thanks to our coach because he did it. He is a national coach and I can say he is the best,” he boasted.
In the Poomsea event, Kano and Ogun dominated the event with Kano female team garnering 34.80points while Ogun led the male category with 30.10points closely followed by Lagos with 29.40points.
The Kano team was led by Commonwealth Champion, Adaeze Asigbe, who attributed their victory to determination and commitment.
For the President, Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF), George Ashiru, the tournament was aimed at discovering the best of the bests that will represent the country in subsequent tournaments.
“In this year’s championship we are working with teams and because it is an open tournament, we can have like two teams from same state. We have about forty teams from all over the country including the armed forces and police. Even the civil defense teams who are the defending champions are here too. Basically, we are looking for the best of the bests, so this tournament is not a grassroots tournament. It is for teams with strong athletes coming together trying to compete”, the NTF boss said.
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