Olopade Targets Podium Finish for Taekwondo Team

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, has charged Nigerian taekwondo athletes to target podium finishes at the forthcoming African Taekwondo Championships in Bamako, Mali, as preparations intensify ahead of the continental event.

Olopade gave the charge during a working visit to the ongoing national trials of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where athletes from across the country are competing for spots on Team Nigeria.

The NSC boss said the visit reflects the Commission’s renewed commitment to inclusivity in sports development, stressing that every discipline must receive adequate attention, support, and motivation to excel at both continental and global levels.

According to him, the current reforms under the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigerian Sports Economy (RHINSE) are designed to reposition sports as a key driver of national growth, while ensuring that lesser-funded sports like taekwondo are not left behind.

“I am happy to witness these important trials which underscore the importance the Commission places on taekwondo. Your efforts to represent Nigeria and win medals are not taken for granted,” Olopade said.

He further highlighted what he described as a new era of seriousness in sports administration under Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging athletes to remain disciplined, patriotic, and committed in their quest for success.

Olopade noted that the past week had seen notable achievements for Nigeria across multiple sports, including cycling, weightlifting, para-sports, and athletics, a development he said signals a broader revival in the country’s sporting fortunes.

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In his remarks, the President of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, Tayo Popoola, commended the NSC leadership for its support, describing the DG’s visit as a major morale booster for the athletes.

“What the DG has done today cannot be quantified. These are some of the missing elements in sports administration over the years. This will greatly motivate our athletes ahead of the championship,” Popoola said.

He also praised ongoing efforts by sports authorities to reposition Nigerian sports, noting improved coordination and renewed focus under current leadership.

The national trials, currently underway in Abeokuta, have attracted top taekwondo talents from across Nigeria, all vying for selection into Team Nigeria for the African Championships scheduled to hold in Bamako from May 28 to June 2, 2026.

With expectations rising, stakeholders believe a strong outing in Mali could further boost Nigeria’s profile in African taekwondo and reinforce ongoing efforts to diversify the country’s sporting success beyond football.