24th January, 2011
Head of Technical, Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, Ferguson Osita Oluigbo, has lamented the absence of Nigerian athletes at the forthcoming 5th Commonwealth Taekwondo Championship slated for Chennai, India.
The championship, which will hold from 28 through 31 January will feature participants from all Commonwealth nations.
Each county is expected to produce at least 30 athletes in various categories in the four-day event.
Oluigbo, who will be among the referees that will officiate in the tourney, told P.M. Sports that he is not happy that Nigerian athletes will not participate in the championship.
“Nigeria is rated among the best in the game of Taekwondo in the world but it is unfortunate that no Nigerian athlete will be at the event. If fund had been released by the National Sports Commission, NSC, to all federations, Nigeria would have excelled in the championship,†he said.
Oluigbo, who is the President of Nigeria Taekwondo Referees Association, urged the NSC to release grants for training to enable athletes prepare for the All Africa Games and other future international meets.
He explained that if the NSC can release grants to thr federations early, Nigerian athletes will excel in international competitions.
“Our athletes need to train in another country, where they will enjoy good facilities, and when there is no fund for such trainings, the athletes will not be fit to compete with their counterparts in international championships,†he said.
—Sunday Akintoye
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