Over 100 athletes for National Junior Taekwondo championship

@Ngobuadavid More than 100 junior athletes from 24 states of the federation including the Federal capital Territory are expected at this year’s Junior National Taekwondo Championship which begins on Wednesday, May 16 to 17 in Abuja.

According to the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, the junior championship is aimed at identifying budding talents and also ranking them ahead of the forthcoming Africa Youth Games in Algeria.

The NTF Technical Director an Olympian, Chika Chukwumerije lamented that since the inception of the sports federation over forty years ago, there has been no junior championship.

“Since its inauguration ago, the federation has forty never years held youth-level championships, thus ensuring our inconsistency in produce elite athletes.

“This is why we win Olympic medals every two decades. By floating age-grade tournament like this and encouraging participation, the federation aims to make our medal winning at internationals a consistent feature,” said Chukwumerije.

The three time Olympian further explained why the event would also be used to invite youth athletes to national youth camp.

“It is only fair that a transparent, effective and accountable method is used to extend invitations to youth camp.

“This tournament removes all sentiments and ensures the initial selections are based on merit and current form,” he stated.