Nigeria's inability to feature in Rio taekwondo event "worrisome": official

Nigeria's inability to feature in the taekwondo event of the recent Olympic Games in Rio was "worrisome", an official said on Friday.

Chika Chukwumerije, a board member of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF), told reporters in Abuja that the country's failure to participate at the event was largely due to lack of coordination among its officials.

Chukwumerije, who won bronze at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, said early preparation will help Nigeria qualify for taekwondo and win medals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

"Preparation for the Tokyo Olympic Games should have even started three years ago," he said, noting early and adequate preparation would enhance the performance of the athletes.

Expressing regrets that Nigeria was yet to win another Olympic taekwondo medal after the one he won in Beijing 2008, Chukwumerije said it was more regretful that Cote d'Ivoire and Niger Republic had overtaken Nigeria with their athletes' exploits at the Rio Olympics.

He urged sports authorities in the country to ensure taekwondo developed beyond its current level, adding Nigeria still has a chance to qualify for and also excel at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics if the local federation got its acts right. Enditem