The journey is still far for Team CCSF – Chukwumerije

Having tasted what it meant to be a champion and the hurdles to make the podium at the Olympic Games, founder of Chika Chukwumerije Sports Foundatio, Chika Chukwumerije, believes the road to stardom is still far for the four-man team that made Nigeria proud at the 8th Korean Cup Teakwondo Championships.
The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games bronze medallist, who has been nurturing the athletes in the last 18 months, believes the experience garnered would be valuable to the athletes on their road to stardom.
The three-time Olympian said: “I believe the journey is still far for the athletes because they actually came here for the experience and I am happy for the confidence the medals will give them.
“I am sad as lack of funding support made us drop six other fantastic young athletes.
“I hope the performance of these ones will galvanize more support for this ambitious project.”
For gold medallist in the male -87kg and the winner of the tournament Most Promising Player, Peter Itiku, the experience was more valuable than the laurels.
The 19-year-old Itiku said: “Winning the gold medal inspires me to do more.
“We came here just for the experience and it was meant to be a training session.
“It is the experience that was important.
“The medals were just a bonus.
“I am grateful to all my opponents for the weakness they exposed in me, despite my victory.”
Also, Elizabeth Anyanacho, who clinched the gold medal in the female -73kg and the best female athlete of the tournament, believes her confidence has grown in the sport.
The 17-year-old debutant said: “I just came here to put into practice what we have been taught in Abuja by Sabonim Chika.
“I feel more confident to confront the certain challenges I know are ahead of us.”
Despite settling for bronze medal in the male -63kg, Darius Danlami admitted the hurdles he faced to make it to the podium.
Danlami’s words: “All my bouts were very tough and it made me see first-hand how difficult it is to be a champion.
“The entire journey has been a great learning experience.
“We made new friends, tasted the local Ghanaian cuisine, learnt a bit of their language.
“It was not just about taekwondo, we learnt valuable life lessons.”