The Vice President of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, NTF, Godwin Abah, has expressed confidence in the growth of taekwondo in Nigeria, saying the federation is committed to developing athletes and securing qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Abah gave the assurance on Friday at the Gymnastics Indoor Hall of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, during the opening ceremony of the 14th Korean Ambassador Cup, which featured fierce competition in Poomsae where more than 40 athletes participated in the individual Poomsae, men’s freestyle and women’s freestyle events.
Abah said the federation was committed to discovering new talents while developing established athletes for international competitions.
According to him, the emergence of new talents has raised the level of competition, making it increasingly difficult for previous champions to retain their titles.
“It’s not just a discovery of new talents. Those who have been around for some time are also competing strongly,” Abah said.
He also described the recent classification of Nigerian para-taekwondo athletes by international experts as a significant step towards integrating athletes with disabilities into the country’s sporting system and creating opportunities for them to compete internationally.
Speaking on the classification exercise conducted by experts associated with World Taekwondo, Abah explained that it would enable eligible Nigerian athletes to participate in international para-taekwondo competitions.
On the development of taekwondo in Nigeria, he said the current NTF board, led by its President, Grandmaster Tayo Popoola, was building on the achievements of previous administrations to strengthen the sport.
He noted that the federation had organised several major competitions, including national trials that provided opportunities for athletes to represent Nigeria in Mali and the recently concluded MOB tournament in Lagos.
According to him, the 2026 Korean Ambassador Cup represents another important platform for talent identification, athlete development and preparation for future international assignments.
NTF President Popoola showered praises on the National Sports commission for the continued support and the enabling environment given to the federation to flourish.
“The NSC has been wonderful to us and we hope to sustain the momentum to take taekwondo higher,” Popoola said.
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