CHUKWUMERIJE'S SUPPORT WILL SPUR TAEKWONDO TEAM - EGWIM
An excited national taekwondo coach, Osita Egwim believes the reward from Senator Uche Chukwumerije last Wednesday in Abuja would spur the team to victory in major competitions.
Egwim, who guided the team to win 10 medals at the last All Africa Games in Mozambique, admitted that the reception organized by the legislator would help to draw more attention to the sport in Nigeria.
'In Maputo, the Senator Chukwumerije was like a father figure to the team because he was always there for us and he believed in us even when it seems the medals were not coming, he was still confident that we will do well. I think if we have more of him in taekwondo, there is nothing stopping us from winning the majority of the medals at the All Africa Games,' he said.
Egwim, said that he was particularly excited that the efforts of the team have been rewarded by somebody who appreciated the team.
The Abia senator, compensated the medalists with N3.3million for their feat in Maputo.
The Uche Perez Chukwumerije-captained 16-man contingent won 10 medals to add to the country's medals haul in Mozambique.
Chukwumerije said that the reception was staged to honour the young team for their determination and doggedness in Maputo. He however called on well-meaning Nigerians and corporate bodies to support the game, which he said has been mopping medals for the country in major championships.
'Majority of the medals won by South Africa came from swimming and it is now obvious that taekwondo has become a sports among the martial art sports that has regularly won medals for the country. So I feel we should start giving it enough attention so that we can be winning the 16 gold medals at stake in the event at the All Africa Games,' Chukwumerije said.
For their performance in Maputo, gold medalists were rewarded with N500, 000 each while silver medalists got N250, 000 with bronze medalists getting N150, 000 for their feat in Mozambique. Egwim and his counterpart got N500, 000 each for guiding the team to success in the Southern African country.