LAGOS – Nigeria’s Shola Olowookere has emerged the overall winner of the Lagos International Taekwondo Classic, after defeating Ghana’s Julian Aryee in the 66kg category.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the three-day event was held at the Mobolaji Johnson Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.
Olowookere is a Lagos State taekwondo athlete and a 300-Level student of Chemistry Education at the University of Lagos.
Speaking to NAN after winning, he expressed satisfaction with the organisation and officiating of the championship.
“The competition was of international standard and provides a platform to expose young athletes to international competition.
“I am happy to have won this tournament, one of the biggest in the region. I will leverage on this to at least represent Nigeria at the Olympics. Probably, I will win a gold medal,’’ Olowookere said.
Also, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Sports, Deji Tinubu, told NAN on the sidelines of the competition that the state government would continue to support indigent athletes.
“This is an opportunity for Lagos to expose indigent athletes to the standards of sports activities at the global scene,’’ he said.
Tinubu said the competition provided a platform for both experienced and upcoming taekwondo athletes in Nigeria to compete against their peers from other countries.
“I hereby urge those that have participated to continue to show interest in similar competitions.
“They can also leverage on the various opportunities made available by the state government to launch themselves to the international scene by showcasing their various talents.
“Apart from the nurturing of young talents in football, the state government is also extending the opportunity of discovering young talented Lagosians in other sports activities.
“As you know that part of the cardinal focus of the Akinwunmi Ambode administration is in the area of Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment and Sports for Excellence (T.H.E.S.E).
“The present administration is seriously implementing the project T.H.E.S.E., to boost tourism, employment generation and relaxation, especially for the youths.
“The resolve of the state government is to use project T.H.E.S.E. to grow the Lagos economy and empower the youths through several alternative means in which sports development is an integral part,’’ he said.
NAN reports that athletes from Nigeria, Mali, Ghana and Niger Republic took part in the championship.
