Stakeholders in the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF) have described the demise of Sen. Uche Chukwumerije as a huge loss to the taekwondo family and nation at large.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the deceased died of lung cancer on April 19 by 4.30 p.m. in a Turkish hospital, Abuja, at the age of 75.
George Ashiru, the President, NTF told NAN on telephone that he was shocked over the death of Chukwumerije, describing him as a “founding father of the NTF’’.
“I lack words to express my feeling when I received the news of Chukwumerije’s death.
“He was a pillar in taekwondo in this country, and his contribution cannot be over emphasised.
“We will miss him greatly, he was an icon and a pacesetter who was passionate and committed to the progress of taekwondo, indeed it was a big loss, ’’ he said.
Also Ferguson Oluigbo, the President of Nigeria Taekwondo Referees Association, said the Lord gives and takes.
According to him, the deceased would be fondly remembered by the indelible footstep left on the sand of time.
Oluigbo, however, described the deceased as a rare gem who was a giant in his own class.
He also described him as a man who rewrote a great part of taekwondo history in the country with his family.
“What more can we say to an icon and a figure in taekwondo who contributed immensely to a sport that has brought glory to this nation, a vacuum has been created.
“Even his children are part and parcel of taekwondo, Chika is an Olympian courtesy of great motivation from his father whom we will forever miss,’’ he said.
Tayo Popoola, also a board member of the Lagos state Taekwondo Association, expressed shock over demise of the deceased.
Popoola described late Chukwumerije as a full practitioner and facilitator of taekwondo in Nigeria.
She said that the late Chukwumerije was very active in his days as a taekwondoist, noting that because of the love he had for the sport, he supported and encouraged his children in taekwondo.
She said that the former chairman, Nigeria Taekwondo Black Belt College (NTBBC) was the `father of taekwondo.’
“You can’t write the story of taekwondo in Nigeria without the Chukwumerijes’’.