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Taekwondo federation: Election of athletes, technical reps suspended due to violence
Nigeria Taekwondo Federation election for athletes and technical representative on Tuesday was suspended due to a fracas among the athletes.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the election, which held at the package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, was suspended after some of the athletes snatched the ballot box and fled with it.
Some of the athletes who witnessed the scene said they were disappointed with the action of the culprit athletes for displaying such unsportsmanly behaviour.
Hadiza Onazasi, a Taekwondo athlete from Sokoto, said she had recorded everything that happened.
“We started technical election when we suddenly saw some groups of people coming to stop the election. One of them carried the ballot box and I confronted him while I was recording their actions. He threatened to beat me and to crash my phone.
“I was surprised to witness such behaviour in a place that was civil, serene, coordinated and disciplined. I have grown to love the sport as a life style. We all came from different states to come and cast our vote, some of us were robbed on our way to Abuja.
” Some of us risked our lives to travel to the FCT with the present situation of the country”, she said.
The ministry people, electoral officials, people who did not support the violence, just left, we don’t know their decision now.
“But what we want is to finish this election, and I hope the ministry will do the right thing, “she said
Santos Akhilele, one of the athlete representatives, said he was disappointed that the election had been suspended.
” I’m very embarrassed because I was not expecting this to happen. Somebody came and took the ballot paper and the ministry could not do anything.
“Everybody saw what happened today and I believe that the ministry will do the right things, ” he said.
Michael Akande, said about 17 to 19 athletes voted for the technical representative when Paul Ogbodo an athlete with the Chika Chukwumerije Foundation (CCF) came to carry the ballot box and flee.
“He tore the electoral papers that the official were using for the election and then carried the ballot box and fled with it. We all know him, he came with some people to stop the election exercise.
”We finished the registration and the technical election was ongoing. They said they went to ease themselves and that was the reason why they came late and they wanted to vote.
They were about five in numbers, Ogbodo and his friend came to impede the election, they said that they want to registered and cast they vote.
“We all started shouting that registration had closed, the electoral officers was even trying to consider them, he first tore the papers and fled with the ballot paper,” he said.
According to him , Takewondo is a martial art of discipline which we all know.
“The electoral committee could not continue with the election because they were scared and they all left.
“I will suggest that electoral committee should count the number of people that voted and declare the winner because about 17 to 19 athletes voted out of 22 states that were represented,” he said
NAN reports no new date had been fixed for the resumption of the election. NAN
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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support
Joel Ajayi
Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.
More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.
The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.
Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.
The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.
Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.
Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.
Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.
Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.
The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.
Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.
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