The Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare last minute intervention ensured that the Nigeria Taekwondo team will participates at the 2020 World Taekwondo G-2 ranked Fujairah Open in the United Arab Emirate.
In a statement obtained by www.aclsports, the Fujairah Open is to prepare the Taekwondo team for the Olympic qualifiers which will hold three weeks later in Rabat Morocco.
www.aclsports.com gathered that the immediate non-availability of funds had threatened the team’s participation in the important high-ranking and preparatory event, but the timely intervention aided the team who arrived today in time to meet the weigh-in for the senior events set to commence on 2nd February 2020.
2019 African Games champion, Chinazum Nwozu African Bronze medalists, Benjamin Okuomose and Elizabeth Anyanacho, as well as AAG quarterfinalists and national champions, Ifeoluwa Ajayi and Peter Itiku will represent the country.
Officials to guide the team include the Federation’s Secretary-General, Yusuf Kabir, Technical Director of the Federation, three-time Olympian Engr. Chika Chukwumerije, and National Coach, John Victor.
The team has been training since 10th January 2020 and will be using the Fujairah Open to earn vital Olympic ranking points and shake off international competition match-rustiness for the crucial qualifiers, to hold 21st to 24th February 2020, in Rabat Morocco.
Registered for the seniors’ category are 383 athletes from 43 countries including: USA, China, Greece, Germany, Bahrain, Kazakhstan, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, India, Syria, Russia, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Chinese Taipei, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Brazil, Swaziland, Yemen, Iraq, Kuwait, Pakistan, Sweden, French Guinea, Oman, USA, Croatia, Iran, Mauritania, France, Nepal.
African countries at the event included Nigeria, Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, Chad, Kenya, Sudan, Cameroon and Benin Republic.
