I’m Ready For All Africa Games –Chukwumerije

Contrary to speculations that the African champion in the 80kg category in Taekwondo at the last All Africa Games in Algiers, Algeria in 2007, Chika Chukwumerije, would not make it to this year’s Games in Maputo, Mozambique, next month, P.M.SPORTS can report that the athlete will be part of Team Nigeria in the championship.

Chukwumerije declared his readiness to defend his title in Maputo after receiving a clean bill of health by a group of medical experts in Manchester, England after sustaining a knee injury in Azerbaijan while training for an Olympic Games qualifier.

While speaking on Metro FM yesterday, Chukwumerije said he was glad to be back to full fitness ahead of the All Africa Games and he is looking forward to defending his title. He appreciated Nigerians for their support while undergoing treatment, adding that he would further show his appreciation to the country by winning gold medal at the Games.

Speaking on the nation’s preparation for the Games, the bronze medal winner at the 2008 Beijing Olympics hailed the enthusiasm of the other athletes in camp, adding that the nation should be hopeful of more medals than seven medals the contingent won in Algeria four years ago.

‘‘You can see that the morale of every athlete is high. The athletes are optimism of surpassing the seven medals won at the last Games in Algiers,’’ he said.

Commenting on the cancellation of the foreign tour for the team, Chukwumerije said the development is a usual experience for Team Nigeria whenever they are preparing for major competitions.

He, however, assured that the cancellation of tour will not undermine the commitment of the athletes to write the nation’s name in gold at the Games in Maputo.

—Olusegun Abidoye