Sports
Nigeria’s Taekwondo Athletes Prepare For 2024 Olympics
Nigeria’s Taekwondo athletes have commenced preparation for the 2024 Olympics with the assistance of the Korea Cultural Centre, Nigeria (KCCN) in Abuja.
The Tidesports source reports that the 2024 Olympics is scheduled to hold in Paris, France.
Coordinating Coach of KCCN, Abduul-Malik Mohammed, told newsmen at the kids In-House Mini TaekwandoPomsae/Gyorugi Championships in Abuja that the preparation was aimed at boosting Nigeria’s medal prospects at the Olympics.
Mohammed said the event would expose the kids to Korean culture, martial art, and instill confidence in them ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
He also said the championship would focus on improving the skills of kids’, noting that it was a grassroots programme.
“It is what we do every time to enable the kids’ exhibit what they have learnt overtime. The bottom-line is to prepare them for 2024 Olympic Games,” he said.
The coach said that KCC decided to hold the championship since the regular Chika Chukwumerije championships had not held for some time.
He said the mini championship was a good initiative that would be of immense benefit to Nigeria, given the quality of the equipment in the centre.
“Since we don’t have external grassroots programmes to feature the children, we felt that continuing the in-house mini championships will boost their morale.
“We are working on sending some of the children to Korea for more training during the World Youth Taekwondo Camp. We are supposed to have one this year, but it was not budgeted for.
“But KCC have been given the assurance that by next year, God willing, we will start taking them through the World Youth Taekwondo Camp,” he said.
No fewer than 40 children took part in the championships.
In the Olympics style sparring for over 10 and above, Faisal Muazu came first, while IkechukwuChizea and NwachukwuChizea came second and third respectively.
For the Poomsae for yellow belt, Faisal Muazu came first, while Enejoh Michelle and JuhitaSree came second and third respectively.
NwachukwuChizea emerged the winner in the Green/Blue Belt Poomsae, followed by NdubisiChizea and NimishaDeshmukeh in the second and third positions respectively.
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.
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