AS the London 2012 Olympics approaches swiftly, President of Taekwondo Federation of Nigeria, Dr Jonathan Nnaji  is optimistic that the country’s two representatives in the sport, Chika Chukwumerije and Isa Mohammed would mine gold at the Games.

Nnaji who took a cursory look at the road map of the Taekwondoists to the Games poured encomiums on the National Sports Commission for their rapid response to the athletes.

“The Director General, Dr Patrick Ekeji  personally asked us to ensure that the athletes get whatever their counterparts in America, Korea get. He said that he will double whatever others give to their athletes to ensure that they excel at the Games.  And he has graciously released funds(including equipment funds)”, Nnaji who is also the first Vice President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC said.

He informed that the two Taekwondoists and their sparring partners and Korean coach Kum and Physiotherapist are on their way to Amsterdam to sharpen their skills.

The Nigerian fighters would move to Taiwan from Holland. They will move over to Austria for a 12-day training and back to South Korea. “We’ve never had it this good. For the first time, our athletes were camped in Sheraton Hotel, Abuja, a treatment hitherto meant for the Super Eagles. We were all amazed”, Nnaji delightedly said. Interestingly, however, the Taekwondo boss said that the red carpet treatment is spread across other sports for the Olympics.

“I’m optimistic of a good outing because when Chika won bronze at the last Olympics, there was no self-scoring sensors. He came from nowhere and shot to the top. But with self-scoring sensors, it eliminates partiality by some officials and Chika is a dare-devil fighter” he said.

Nnaji however, like Oliver Twist, begged the NSC to increase funds given to federations to enable them partake in programmess that would expose some other athletes. “We’ve started well but you know that preparation for the Olympics starts moments after the last one. We are set to go because they have done us well”, Nnaji practically sang.