By Charles Iwuoha on August 25, 2021

The Olympic medalist, Chika Chukwumerije, on Monday, challenged taekwondo state associations in the South-East to ensure they organised tournaments and programmes quarterly.

Chukwumerije, who is also Member, Caretaker Committee of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF), threw the challenge while speaking with newsmen after supervising the grading of taekwondo athletes at the South-East Taekwondo U-18 Poomsae Championships held at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.

According to him, the taekwondo associations in the zone had no excuse not to organise, events at least quarterly, since this particular one ended beyond all expectations and challenges.

He also noted that to keep the sports really alive in the zone, there should be synergy between the state associations working out regular inter-state and region level programmes.

“The future of taekwondo lies in its development at the grassroots and getting more people to understand and be part of the game, in order to create the popularity and `catch-them-young’ stance,” he said.

Olympian Chukwumerije lauded the organisers of the championship for the mobilisation, the energy created among the children and dedication to ensure the championship was a huge success.

“But, there is a need to put in more work to improve on the next zonal championships and create publicity and get sponsorship as well.

“The associations need to network more with the leadership in the zone and states, as well as commissioners and directors of sports to push and lobby them to make things happen here,” he said.

Chukwumerije, a former Technical Director of the NTF, also urged state taekwondo associations to build better relationships with the media, in order to generate effective publicity of the sports.

He noted that with good media promotion and publicity, taekwondo would get good sponsorship in the zone and also attract government, organisations and philanthropists’ funding as well.

“There is a publicity gap in taekwondo and its activities in the zone and I believe that the associations should work closely with the media to further popularise the sports and its programmes.

“Media professionals should come in and help to intensify publicity and awareness creation even at the state and local government levels about the sports,” he said.

•PHOTO: Olympic medalist Chika Chukwumerije

Source Daily sports

Posted August 25, 2021

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