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By Victor Okoye
Abuja, Dec. 9, 2017 (NAN) John Victor, the taekwondo coach of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), says he is confident that his team will emerge overall winners of the inaugural Nigeria Taekwondo Open Championship.
Victor told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday on the sidelines of the 2017 Nigeria Taekwondo Open Championship in Abuja his team was ready for any showdown with any opposition.
“This is the first edition of this historic championship and we will like to make a statement and set another record, in addition to our numerous other titles, as the first team ever to win the inaugural event.
“Our reputation is at stake and we cannot afford to settle for anything less than the title,” he said.
NAN reports that having dominated the Korean Ambassador’s Cup in the last four years, the NSCDC team also defended their title at the just-concluded eighth edition of the championship in Abuja.
Victor said nothing would stop the team from clinching the title considering the experience and performance of his athletes at the just-ended Lagos International Classics and the Korean Ambassador’s Cup.
“We have just participated in three different championships and won all. In fact, this is our fourth championship in the space of four weeks.
“So, my athletes are a bit jaded. Nevertheless, we will still emerge victorious, even though by a small margin,” he said.
Teams from 20 states, clubs and institutions, including two African countries –– Niger and Cameroon —- are taking part in the three-day championship.
The championship which got underway at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Abuja National Stadium on Saturday is expected to end on Monday.(NAN)
VO/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)