Technical Director of the Nigerian Teakwondo Federation (NTF) Chika Chukwumerije has called on stakeholders in Taekwondo to minimize the financial gap between African countries and the rest of the world.
He made the call while reacting to the poor performance of the continent at the just concluded World Taekwondo Championship in Manchester, England.
Chukwumerije who happens to be a Taekwondo Olympic Bronze medallist emphasized that the financial spending difference is extended to tactical and technical knowledge between Africa and other parts of the world.
“Once in a while, flashes of brilliance emerge from the continent in the sport however, despite the obvious amount of quality of talents on the African continent, the lack of real sustainable development in knowledge acquisition technology, infrastructure and people are evident.
He stated that all these makes Africa lag behind in the world and contribute to the poor performances it records in international competitions,” the statement read. Chukwumerije, The African Games (AG) Gold Medalist called on sport’s stakeholders in the continent to rise and shed the current mindset among them, that ‘it is not good enough’.
“We are good enough to build infrastructure, manufacture our own equipment, develop our people, research, document and apply knowledge while developing our own knowledge.
“Our starting-point might be crude but every developed nation was once crude.
“We however need visionary leadership, willpower and keen collaboration across the continent, is required,” it read.
Nigeria’s representative at the championship Chinazum Nwosu, lost to Christiana Tyrologou of Greece in the round of 32, of the Female-53kg of the world championship.
Nwosu had earlier defeated Vietnamese Thi Dund Vu 12-7 in the round of 128 as no African competition made the medals table-list of the championship.
South Korea, renowned for Taekwondo across the world, emerged overall winners of the championship which was staged from May 14-19, with four gold, one silver and two bronze medals.
Great Britain came second with three gold and one bronze medals while China came third with two gold, two silver and three bronze medals.
