150 Nigerians contributed the sum of three million naira to ensure Olympic bound Elizabeth Anyanacho participates at the World Taekwondo G-1 ranked Turkish Open.
The Turkish Open is taking place at the Pullman Istanbul Hotel and Convention Centre from 9th to 11th March, 2021.
According to Chika Chukwumerije, the Technical Director of Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, Elizabeth Anyanacho was on the verge of missing the tournament but it took the timely intervention of 150 Nigerians to make the trip possible.
Chukwumerije said the ministry of sports helped in the area of accelerating the visa application processes.
He said, “The Turkish consulate has granted entry visas to the trio of Elizabeth Anyanacho, Chika Chukwumerije and the team physiotherapist to enable the team to participate at the World Taekwondo G-1 ranked Turkish Open.
“Elizabeth was in danger of missing out of the event due to the unavailability of funds, but the timely intervention of 150 Nigerians who contributed three million naira in 15 days made trip possible. The late registration ensured a delay in the visa application process, causing worries that the team would miss the event.
“To avoid this eventuality, the ministry of youths and sports deployed a protocol officer to assist with the visa process and also secured a note verbal to accelerate the visa application process”.
Elizabeth Anyanacho will weigh in on 10th March and compete on 11th March, in what would be her first competition since she qualified for the Tokyo 2021 Olympics a year ago.
