Don’t get carried away by the festivities- Chukwumerije warns Athletes

December 26 22:27 2018 by The Ajasa News Print This Article

By Martin Odiete

The Technical Director of the Nigeria taekwondo federation, Uche Chukwumerije has warned athletes not to be carried away with the festive period enjoyments and loss focus of the assignments ahead in the coming year.

Speaking with www.TheAjasaNews.com, Chukwumerije says the coming year is loaded with activities that it will demand for all the athletes to be in top shape.

“as we enter the festive mood proper, we implore you to keep in mind the importance of 2019 which includes the African Taekwondo Championships, the All African Games and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Qualification tournament.

“So it might be wise counsel to carefully balance resting and enjoying this festive period with keeping in shape for 2019”,
he said.

Meanwhile the NTF Technical Director revealed that registration of athletes for the World Taekwondo Sanctioned Nigeria International Open has commenced.

He noted that registration was reopened on Monday and would now close on 20 January, 2018.

The Nigeria International Taekwondo Open was earlier slated to hold from 16 to 18 November, 2017, but it was postponed.

Chukwumerije said, “Seventy-three athletes from 10 countries had previously registered, before we had to re-schedule the event to 8 to 10 February, 2018, as were
only 18 athletes from Nigeria.

“The number of Nigeria athletes who registered did not make any sense to have our first G-1 event in order for
other countries to top the medal table and walk away with all those ranking points, we listen and shifted it to give our Nigeria Taekwondo community time to get their GMS license and Kukkiwon certification, which are mandatory to have for WT events”.

He said Kukkiwon registration is mandatory for World Taekwondo events.

“Ensure your GMS license is fully paid for membership plus WT event pass. Also, if you do not have Kukkiwon, do not
forget that it is MANDATORY for WT events. If you do not have Kukkiwon certification and you intend to participate in the Nigeria Open, please contact the Technical Director so the process can be expedited,” he concluded.