Technical director of Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF), Engineer Chika Chukwumerije has come out with an explanation of the body’s decision to shift the date for this year’s international open in Abuja.
Chukwumerije said the NTF have already written to World Taekwondo Federation to get approval of their decision to postpone the Nigeria International Taekwondo Open by three months, sports247.ng reports.
Chukwumerije said the decision is to enable many athletes across Africa finish processing licence, which would keep them focused on travelling to Nigeria for the competition from 8th to 10th February 2019.
The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games bronze medalist disclosed further that a total of 50 competitors from eight countries had already registered for the competition before the close of deadline.
The former African champion, however, added that it would be sad for Nigeria to host a first ever World Taekwondo event and no elite athlete from the country benefit from it.
Chukwumerije went on to affirm: “The World Taekwondo ranked Nigeria International Open has been postponed for another three months. We have proposed to World Taekwondo 8th to 10th February, 2019.
“This decision was taken to enable many of our athletes in Nigeria and across West Africa region to finish processing their World Taekwondo Global Membership System Licence.
“This is a compulsory requirement to be able to register for any World Taekwondo ranked event.
“50 persons from India, Ethiopia, Senegal, Ghana, Congo, Mozambique, Mali and Nigeria registered before the close of deadline.
“We are aware that more than 150 persons, mostly from Nigeria, that wanted to participate in the event were unable to complete registration due to their inability to get their valid GMS License on time.
“Imagine having our very first World Taekwondo event and all the World Ranking Points go to mostly foreign teams.
“It would also be painful that Nigeria does not place in a commendable place on the medals table because of non-participation.
“To this end, it made no sense to host an event that does not majorly benefit our Nigeria Taekwondo community.
“This is why the decision was taken to shift the event by three months, so that a lot of athletes and coaches in Nigeria and West Africa can duly complete their World Taekwondo Licensing process.”
