Chukwumerije vows to make Abia taekwondo powerhouse
Olympic bronze medallist and former African champion Chika Chukwumerije has been appointed chairman of the Abia Taekwondo Association. His appointment, alongside a 13-member board, was formalised last by the Deputy
Olympic bronze medallist and former African champion Chika Chukwumerije has been appointed chairman of the Abia Taekwondo Association. His appointment, alongside a 13-member board, was formalised last by the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Engr Ikechukwu Emetu, with a clear mandate: to elevate Abia into the ranks of Nigeria's leading sporting states.
Delivering the vote of thanks on behalf of the association, Chukwumerije expressed gratitude to the state leadership for the appointment. He pledged to harness Abia's strengths to identify and nurture young talents — particularly from schools — with the vision of grooming them into world-class athletes.
"I want to sincerely thank our governor and his team, and most importantly His Excellency, the Deputy Governor, for this honour," he said. "We promise to give our best to make Abia one of the best sporting states in the country. Our focus will be on discovering talents at the grassroots, grooming them at home, and turning them into world beaters."
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Chukwumerije also highlighted the broader social impact of sports, pointing to Aba's industrial capacity as a potential hub for producing sporting equipment — not only for Abia but for other states across Nigeria.
"Abia has the talents, and we can help our young ones make a living from sports. With Aba, we can produce all the sporting equipment we need and even sell to other states," he noted.
Looking ahead, he assured sponsors and stakeholders of the association's commitment to collaboration, promising that within four years Abia would produce not just local champions but athletes capable of competing on the global stage.
The newly inaugurated board includes Dr Innocent Anucha as vice chairman, with Okechi Onwuka, Christian Onyinyechi, Glory Ezema Oluchi, Emelike Chinenye (ACP), Christian Nnaukwu, Obioma Akomas, Ohia Ifeanyi, Charles Enakhaze, China Orji, Arua Ogbonnaya, and Olekanma Orji as members, with the latter serving as secretary.
