Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF) has proceeded in its proactive programs through their continued engagement in more virtual training for coaches and referees, in lieu of the COVID-19 menace, NTF Technical Director, Chika Chukwumerije allayed.
He buttressed that online training and competitions were the way to go in this seemingly difficult times due to the ban on contact sports in the country posited by the Ravaging virus.
Chika stated, “NTF is one of the most responsive sports federations in Nigeria. We have done two online programmes – a Poomsae competition and an international talk show.”
About 33 programmes were approved by the federation in January for 2020 to keep athletes and officials busy.
“At the start of the year, we had 33 programmes approved for the year, this includes coaching, referee, and grade A competitions,” he explained.
On preparations for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (now holding in 2021), Chukwmerije said that training never stopped for the only athlete, Elizabeth Anyanacho who qualified for the Taekwondo Olympics event for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (now holding in 2021),
She qualified for the Olympics 73kg welterweight category after defeating former African champion Urgence Mouega of Gabon 12-5 points in the 67kg women’s bout at the 2020 Africa Taekwondo Olympics Qualifiers in Rabat, Morocco.
