TFN Endorses CCSF Taekwondo Open.

The Taekwondo Federation of Nigeria (TFN) has endorsed the yearly Chika Chukwumerije Sports Foundation (CCSF) International Taekwondo Open, as teams and athletes arrive Abuja for the tournament holding this weekend.

According to the President of TFN, George Ashiru, the federation has sanctioned the tournament, as the quality of organisation of the tournament has indeed been impressive.

“The CCSF is an affiliate of the TFN, and so the tournament is sanctioned by the TFN. Beyond this, the TFN provides support equipments and licensed referees and technical support to make this a world-class event. It is in our vision to partner affiliated taekwondo NGOs to organise quality programmes to meet international standards,” Ashiru noted.

He however, expressed optimism that the CCSF would soon receive the backing of the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF).

Chika Chukwumerije.
Chika Chukwumerije.

The NTF boss added: “I think my expectation is to improve on last year’s superlative event as we have amassed more than 85 personnel both technical and administrative to make this an even greater championships. With more prizes at stake and eight countries, we are gradually getting to the point that we can organise official international championships sanctioned by the WTF. That’s our ultimate goal with this tournament, to host WTF sanctioned events like world and continental championships.”

Listing the gains for Nigerian athletes, Ashiru said: “Our athletes, especially the ones who can’t afford to travel abroad to compete, will have the opportunity of matching their skills with their counterparts from other nations and therefore influence their preparation for the major events like the All Africa Games.”

Meanwhile, teams and athletes within and outside Nigeria have started arriving Abuja in readiness for the two-day competition while Mali and Niger Republic arrived yesterday and they have intensified their training.

Over N2.8m is at stake as prize money at the tournament with gold medalists in eight events made of male and female getting N150, 000 each while eight silver medalists will cart home N100, 000 each while 16 bronze medalists will also get N50, 000 each for their efforts.

Aside the cash reward, 200 athletes that registered for the champion will get equipment like uniform, kicking pads and skipping ropes valued at N1.7m. Over 340 athletes have been confirmed for the tournament with 36 competitors coming from seven African countries including Mali, Gabon, Congo Brazzaville, Ghana, Togo, Niger Republic and Cote D’Ivoire.

Also, 24 Nigeria states, Nigeria Police, Nigeria Customs, Nigeria Immigration, six clubs and 23 individual registrations have been listed for the international tournament meant to be a fertile hotbed for discovery of future Olympians.

Sourced from This Day Sports.