Nigeria Taekwondo Federation president Tayo Popoola has expressed confidence that the country’s contingent to the 2026 African Taekwondo Championships in Bamako, Mali, is ready to compete and represent the nation with distinction when the event opens on Friday (today).
Popoola made the declaration on the sidelines of the National Taekwondo Federation Open Trials held at the Alake Sports Centre in Ijeja, Abeokuta, where more than 300 athletes from across the country competed over three days in both Poomsae and Kyorugi events. The trials drew a strong field and concluded with what officials described as some of the most impressive performances seen at a domestic selection event in recent years.
She confirmed that the Federal Government had provided all necessary support for the Mali trip and revealed that Nigeria would, for the first time, be travelling with a contingent that includes Para athletes alongside competitors in both the Poomsae and Kyorugi categories. Athletes selected from the trials will make up the bulk of the travelling party.
“We are going to Mali. The Federal Government has done its part; they have given us everything that we need to be in Mali, and for the first time, we are presenting the para and the poomsae, which is one of our new discoveries in taekwondo,” Popoola told journalists.
“This is the first time we are travelling with such a large contingent, and it shows that Nigerian Taekwondo is moving in the right direction.”
She also spoke about the broader ambition driving the federation’s development programme, which is focused on building a national team capable of competing for medals at the African Games and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Popoola, the first female black belter in Kukkiwon Dan Grading in Nigeria, also highlighted the recent completion of a Kukkiwon Dan certification exercise as a critical step, noting that the certification is a prerequisite for Nigerian athletes to compete in international tournaments.
“In Taekwondo, athletes must possess recognised Kukkiwon certification to participate globally, and we have successfully completed that process here in Nigeria,” she stated.
In attendance at the trials were National Sports Commission Director-General Bukola Olopade, World Taekwondo Federation representative and World Taekwondo Masters Union president Grand Master Kim Lee, and Ogun State Taekwondo Association chairman Olori Omoshalewa Aboderin-Olubusi.
Lee tipped Nigeria for a bright future in the sport, saying the country’s seriousness of purpose was evident and that more hard work would translate into medals on the global stage.
