Taekwondo board explains decision to remove Ashiru as president

The Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF) board yesterday said it chose to impeach its president, George Ashiru, to allow the sports a breathing space.

In a statement made available to The Guardian, the body also revealed that it gave a 10 working-day gap before commenting on the development to “ensure that our parent body – the National Sports Commission, and the Nigeria Olympic Committee are properly notified of the change, and given time to assess the info submitted.”

According to the statement signed by seven members of the board, including former president, Jonathan Nnaji, Olympic bronze medallist, Chika Chukwumerije and Umar Garko, on December 12, “the NTF board unanimously voted [6 For, 1 Abstained] to remove Mr. George Ashiru as the President of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation” because he was not a team player as he repeatedly side-lined or undermined the board in countless decision- making processes.

It added that Ashiru did not protect the interest of taekwondo as a sport, alleging that he had taekwondo downgraded from Grade 1 to 2 as a result of his inability to defend taekwondo’s progress at a critical meeting.