President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC, Engr Habu Gumel
expressed shock and sadness yesterday when the news of the demise of
former Information Minister and Chairman, Senate Committee on
Education, Senator Uche Chukwumerije was relayed to him.
When he overcame the initial shock, Gumel said that sports has
lost an icon, a disciplinarian and a man whose passion for Taekwondo
fetched Nigeria a bronze medal in the 2008 Olympic Games through one
of his sons, Chika Chukwumerije.
“He was an all-rounder. He was meticulous in everything he did
and excelled in them. He was brilliant and was a consummate and
passionate lover of Taekwondo which was embraced by all his
children''.
The NOC President recalled countless times that the late
Chukwumerije sponsored the Nigeria Taekwondoists from his personal
funds to ensure that Nigerian flag flutters at international
competitions. ''He was present at events and cheered Nigerians and
showered money and gifts to them. We have lost a passionate lover of
sports'', Gumel mourned.
Late Chukwumerije had a clan of seven children who are all black
belt holders including him.
His elder son, Uche Chukwumerije(jnr) was captain of Taekwondo
team who won a cocktail of medals for Nigeria. But Chika Chukwumerije
remains the more popular of the Chukwumerijes winning a bronze medal
at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the +80kg category.
He also won gold
at the 2007 All Africa Games in Algiers, silver at the Maputo All
Africa Games in 2011 and a bronze medal at Abuja 2003 All Africa
Games.
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