Patrick-Estate Onyedum, Chairman of Anambra Sports Development Commission, has commended the state team for their performance at the just-concluded national tournament in Abuja.
The event was the first Abuja National Course on Sanshou/Taolu/Referee/Seminal/Coaching and Open Wushu Kungfu Traditional/Sporting Championship.
Team Anambra won six gold medals in the Taolu event at the championship which was held between May 24 and May 28.
Onyedum, who spoke after receiving a report of the championship from Paul Melika, Anambra’s Wushu Kungfu coach in his office, said he was impressed that martial arts game is gaining ground in the state.
He said his desire was to see that every sport developed equally while noting that Wushu Kungfu had been a consistent medal winner for Anambra at national competitions.
Onyedum tasked the coach with establishing Wushu Kungfu clubs in schools to increase awareness of the sport at the grassroots.
“Mr Governor wants to see Anambra return to its days of glory in sports and that is why this Commission is ensuring that the Associations participate in these tournaments as much as possible.
“So congratulations for the victories and improvement in your ratings, we expect that you will take Wushu Kungfu to schools and begin to catch them young,” he said.
Melika, who described the experience as rich, said the team comprised four athletes, including himself .
He said the trio of Obinna Chika, Remigus Makata and Obinna Ibedu won two gold medals each and got upgraded to 2nd, 5th and 6th Duan Black Belts respectively.
The coach himself was upgraded from 7th to 8th Duan Black Belt.
According to him, the Abuja tourney equipped us with latest international rules in Wushu Kungfu and prepared us for national and international competitions,” he said. (NAN)
