Abuja Agog As 152 Athletes Fight For Medals in World Taekwondo Ranked Tourney

Abuja Agog As 152 Athletes Fight For Honour in World Taekwondo Ranked Tourney

By Niyi Busari

Not less than 152 registered taekwondo athletes from 16 different countries are expected to fight for glory as Nigeria Taekwondo International Open starts on Friday, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The three-day World Taekwondo G-1 ranked tournament is billed for Velodrome, Package A National Stadium Abuja.

The tournament which serves as criteria to invite and camping of exceptional Nigeria taekwondo athletes into camp ahead of the All African Games and 2020 Olympics will also help them to be exposed to foreign competitors and gain critical experience. It will also help more local players to have the opportunity of earning World Taekwondo ranking points which enables easier draws at World Taekwondo events which increases the possibilities of winning more medals.

On day 1 of the tournament on 8th February, the male category in -54kg, -58kg, -87kg and -46kg, -49kg, -53kg women category will kick start hostilities among contenders which starts from 10 am to 7:30 pm.

Some of the 16 participating countries include USA, France, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Togo, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Oman to mention but few.

Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Barrister Solomon Dalung, World Taekwondo Delegate, Olympian Mariam Baverel of France, World Taekwondo African Board Member, Aly Nour of Egypt, Ambassador of Republic of Korea in Nigeria, Ambassador of Mali in Nigeria, President, Nigeria Olympic Committee are some of the expected important special guest that will grace the opening and closing ceremony of the 2019 Nigeria Teakwondo International Open.