Abuja hosts reception for Maputo taekwondo team

FOR its heroic feat at the last All Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique, the Uche Perez Chukwumerije-captained Nigerian taekwondo team will be feted in Abuja on Wednesday.The reception is part of the pledge made by Senator Uche Chukwumerije in Maputo during the Games. According to a statement by Chukwumerije, taekwondo has been growing by leaps and bounds in Nigeria, being the premier martial arts sports, while its contribution of 10 medals to Nigeria's medal haul in Maputo has reaffirmed its enormous potential.To honour the team, government functionaries, captains of industries, diplomats and key national leaders have been invited to the dinner to celebrate the improved medal-count of the young team and to encourage the athletes' build-up to the London 2012 Olympics qualifiers in Egypt.Chukwumerije added that the event is meant to encourage individuals, corporate bodies and governments to support taekwondo's growth and development within Nigeria, adding that the event would also help to appraise the value and prospects of the sport in Nigeria.Sixteen athletes represented Nigeria in various weight categories in Maputo, 10 of them winning medals for the country. Among the 18 sports that Nigeria fielded in Maputo, taekwondo contributed two gold, one silver and seven bronze medals to become the fourth best event behind sprint, table tennis and badminton.
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