By Solomon Nwoke
Minister of Youth and Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung has commended the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation for keeping the hopes of Nigeria Taekwondo athletes alive by  organising regular competitions, thereby keeping the athletes busy all through the year.

Chika Chukwumerije at the Beijing 2008 Olympics where he won a bronze medal.

He made the commendation in Lagos at the weekend while declaring  closed, the 6th Korean Ambassador’s West Africa Taekwondo championship held at the Okoya Thomas hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere Lagos.

Speaking ahead of Rio 2016 preparations, Dalung said if the funds are available, the athletes would immediately be moved into closed camping.

He said: “Olympic is a four year event and planing for it should not start on the eve of departure. So much has been going on though, but  not so encouraging enough from my own assessment.

The level of preparation is fluctuating between 50 and 45, and what we are going to do in the coming year, is to rededicate whatever resource s that we have  into mobilsing the athletes into closed camping .

“Base on the availability of funds on ground, the National sport commission will determine when these athletes will go in to closed camping. Lack of  fund has been the bane behind the shift in the date of the athletes close camping for the Olympics, but the laid down plans are on ground”.

Meanwhile the defending champions of the Korean Ambassador’s cup, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence corps team defeated the Korean Cultural Centre Nigeria team based in Abuja to emerge as champions.

Segun Olusola emerged as the men’s most valuable player while Chinazom Nwosu won the women most valuable player Award as John Victor was adjured as the best Coach of the tournament. the best referees award went to Pastor Collins.