Nasarawa celebrates junior taekwondo star Onyinyechi for silver medal feat at 14th Korean ambassador cup
Nasarawa State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Jibril Abdullahi Ibrahim, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Stephen Iliya Sasetu, on Monday, received junior taekwondo sensation, Onyinyechi Gift, in his office in Lafia
The reception was in honour of her stellar performance at the just-concluded 14th edition of the Korean Ambassador Cup 2026 Taekwondo Championship held from 23rd-25th October, 2026, in Abuja, where she won a silver medal for Nasarawa State
The 16-year-old who was the State’s lone representative at the Championship, displayed remarkable resilience, discipline, and technical brilliance at her first professional outing, wading off stiff competitions from her Rivers and Lagos States’ counterparts in the build-up to her final fight where she eventually lost 2-3 to her Bayelsa State opponent.
The Permanent Secretary, while receiving the athlete on behalf of the Commissioner, commended Onyinyechi’s courage and commitment, describing her achievement as a proof to the State’s growing prowess in combat sports and the dividends of the Governor Abdullahi Sule-led administration’s sustained investment in youth and sports development.
Dr. Sasetu, while also commending the State’s Taekwondo Coach, Lois Jerry, who led Onyinyechi to the championship, reaffirmed the Ministry’s resolve to continue to nurture and support young talents to excel on the national and international stage.
The event, classified as an NTF-A-Class ranking event, and in compliance with the World Taekwondo Federation Standards, drew over 400 participants from 30 States of Nigeria, clubs, Armed Forces and Para-Military Organizations, as well as a handful of foreign countries, with the Organizers disclosing that the championship was a breeding ground for Champions.
Joining the Permanent Secretary to receive the athlete were the Ministry’s Directors of Sports Organizing, Uba Musa, and Technical/Coaching, Mustapha Sani Bello, as well as the Deputy Director of Sports Organizing, Patricia Oshuwayine.
Highpoints of the reception ceremony was the presentation of the medal won to the Permanent Secretary by the medalist and photographs.
