I'm Not Expecting Nigeria to Win Medals at WTF Qualifiers, Says Taekwondo Official

Ferguson Oluigbo, President, Taekwondo Referees Association of Nigeria, on Saturday said he was not expecting much from the Nigerian contingent at the 2014 World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) Qualifiers in Taipei, Taiwan.

The WTF Qualifiers is to prepare athletes participating in the taekwondo event of the forthcoming 2014 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) scheduled for Nanjing, China from Aug. 16 to Aug. 28.

Oluigbo said in Lagos that the country’s representatives had not gathered enough international experience to have sufficient confidence to win medals for the country.

``I do not expect the taekwondoists to win medals on their very first international competition with no prior international experience and extensive training.

``However, I am sure that they will put up a good performance because they all seem eager to prove themselves at the competition,” he said.

The referees president said the Taipei exposure would however be a welcome idea for the participants to gather experience for future international competitions.

Oluigbo mentioned the 2015 All-Africa Games in Congo and the 2016 Olympics in Brazil as part of future international competitions the WTF Qualifiers would prepare the athletes for.

``Their participation in the competition will enable them see new places, form healthy relationships with people from all over the world, and learn new competitive tactics and strategies.''

The referees president, however, expressed optimism in the country’s talents, saying ``if they are adequately invested in, they will win medals at major competitions''.

MARCH 23, 2014, BY AUGUSTINE AMINU