Guardian

THE German Embassy Tuesday finally granted entry visas to the Nigerian taekwondo, which is scheduled to begin a training tour of Europe.

The eight-man team is made up of Segun Olushola (-68kg male), Sunday Onofe (-80kg male), Uche Chukwumerije (-87kg male), Joy Ekhator (-49kg male], John Victor (coach), Ekundayo Ogunkunle (physiotherapist), Joyce Ezeala (Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, secretary general) and Chika Chukwumerije (CEO, CCSF & organiser).

The German Embassy had initially refused the team’s visa requests, but it finally issued the documents, albeit on single entry basis.

Speaking from Abuja Tuesday, Chika Chukwumerije, the organiser of the trip, thanked the German Embassy for issuing the visas after reviewing further documents submitted to convince them that the team had good intentions.

“I am very happy that the German Embassy overturned their decision. It is a happy day for taekwondo, especially the up-coming ones, who can have hope that if they continue working hard at training, and being honest, they stand a real chance of getting opportunities like this.

“The team will depart on Wednesday (today). They have lost two days of the 24-day camp, but I am hopeful that the experience these athletes gained will come in handy in AAG 2015 and Rio 2016. The athletes will also transfer knowledge to their fellow elite athletes during the 2nd CCSF Elite Training Camp that will be held at the end of June 2013,” he said.

He added, “I once again emphasis my determination to plead the cause of athletes while I am on the taekwondo board. We must expand the opportunities available to our young and talented athletes, so they will not be lured by the vicious cycle of visa racketeering.

“In addition, athletes and viable sponsors join us in this fight. This year alone, I am planning three or four more trips to expose even more youngsters. That way, these youngsters will run to legal bodies that are actually interested in their welfare. My foundation will continue to assist these young athletes by creating more of these opportunities,” he added.

The CCSF boss also lauded the National Sports Commission (NSC) for sponsoring the well-packaged Elite Training programme, adding, “the NSC has been very helpful and supportive.

I cannot express my gratitude enough, and I hope that these youngsters will respond to this support by performing well at international tournaments in the coming four years.”

An elated Coach Victor told The Guardian yesterday, “the trip will be eventful as it will open the athletes to a new wave of fighting. It would help them improve and make them believe in themselves. The confidence built through this trip will force the athletes to set higher targets for themselves.”

Nineteen-year old Segun Olushola, a gold medallist at the last National Sports Festival, is also excited by his first chance of travelling out of the country and looked forward to the experience he would gain from the international training camp.

He noted, “it would expand his taekwondo knowledge.”

Bronze medallist at the 2011 All Africa Games in Mozambique, Onofe chose to focus on the effect the trip would have on his future performance at international tournaments.