Sports

Taekwondo: Sports Minister Gets Kukkiwon Award as International Masters, Examiners Courses End in Lagos

Published

3 years ago

October 18, 2022

The Sports Minister Sunday Dare was on Saturday honoured with the Kukkiwon Award by the Kukkiwon World Taekwondo for his contributions to the development of the sport.

Aside the Minister, the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwoolu and the president of the Nigeria Olympic Committee(NOC) Engineer Habu Gumel were also presented with awards at the closing ceremony of the 93RDV International Masters and 46th Poom/Dan Examiners Courses in Lagos.

The Minister thanked the Kukkiwon World Taekwondo and the Taekwondo Federation of Nigeria(TFN) for the award and urged both bodies to continue to invest more in the sport in Nigeria.

According to him, “the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development acknowledges and continues to appreciate the giant strides Taekwondo is taking in Nigeria and will continue to support it, creating the right environment for its growth and development.

“I am appealing to the world body to make Nigeria a priority for technical support and every other kind of support that will help this beautiful sport to grow, not just in our country but in Africa as a whole,” the Minister concluded.

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Sports

Fatimah Yusuf Olukoju Emerges NAWIS Representative on AFN Board

Published

3 hours ago

June 9, 2025

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi

Renowned former Nigerian sprinter Fatimah Yusuf Olukoju has been elected as the Nigeria Association for Women in Sports (NAWIS) representative on the board of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).

Her emergence followed a transparent electoral process conducted by NAWIS on Monday at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja. Olukoju secured 30 votes out of 45, defeating her sole opponent, Dr. Nneka Anibeze, who polled 15 votes.

The election aligns with the revised AFN constitution, which reserves a dedicated seat on the board for a women-in-sports representative.

A trailblazer in Nigerian athletics, Fatimah Yusuf Olukoju brings a wealth of experience to her new role. A former Olympian and African champion, she is best remembered for her record-breaking performances in the 400 metres and her pivotal role in Nigeria’s relay teams during the 1990s.

Her appointment is expected to bolster advocacy for gender inclusion, athlete welfare, and grassroots development within the federation.

In her acceptance speech, Olukoju expressed heartfelt gratitude for the trust placed in her by NAWIS members, pledging to work tirelessly to promote the interests of women in sports.

“Once again, I want to thank our founder and the NAWIS EXCO leadership. Leadership isn’t about how far you advance yourself—it’s about how far you can advance others,” she said.“If you’re not passing on what you’ve learned and experienced to those you lead, you’re not setting yourself up for lasting success. Leaders are meant to serve others.”

She also emphasized her readiness to take on the responsibility, regardless of her location.

“Thank God I have good health and stamina. I’m ready to contribute positively to the growth of sports in Nigeria, especially women in sports.

“Let me remind you that I have always answered the call to serve Nigeria, no matter where I lived at the time.

“I am ready to serve again in this new capacity, and distance will never stand in the way. I will always be physically present to carry out this great responsibility whenever necessary.”

With her appointment, Fatimah Yusuf Olukoju is set to be a powerful voice on the AFN board—representing women, championing development, and shaping a stronger future for Nigerian athletics.

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