Margaret Binga, Vice-President of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF) board, on Friday urged taekwondo athletes to always imbibe a winning mentality if they are to be champions in the sport.
Binga made the call in Abuja while delivering a lecture titled “Being a champion” at the ongoing Chika Chukwumerije Sports Foundation (CCSF) Training Workshop for under-20 athletes.
She said a champion was someone who defeated or surpassed all rivals in competitions in sports and at the same time took extraordinary interest in the adoption and implementation of a project.
Binga, who is regarded as President of the NTF by a faction of the board members, said a champion must be committed and disciplined in his or her approach towards life.
“A champion must take personal responsibility and any action necessary to achieve team and individual goals.
“He (champion) must demonstrate a deep desire to succeed and apply passion to every task at hand, as well as show an impeccable and relentless work ethic which only true dedication provides.
“To be a champion, you must set priorities and make the required sacrifices which enhance the chances for success and also establish a mindset which highly encourages confidence.
“You must also apply a training and competitive focus which creates the opportunity to transform the impossible into the possible,’’ the two-time African gold medallist noted.
Binga said perseverance through adversity, with a positive attitude and concentration, were the best ways of achieving excellence and mastery.
Another instructor, Dayo Ogunkunle who spoke on the topic “Appropriate Medical Care for Athletes’’, highlighted the need for athletes to take care of their muscles.
Ogunkunle who is the Head, Physiotherapy Division, Ministry of Youths and Sports said an athlete’s career in the taekwondo sport could be destroyed if the muscles were not nurtured properly.
Rachael Aminawon, a participant in the workshop, said taekwondo was not an easy sport but with adequate training one could excel.
Aminawon said she was in the sport to make a name.
“I don’t have any role model. I just want to be myself and I want people to see me as their role model,’’ she said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop which began on Wednesday with about 34 participants and seven resource persons will end on Saturday.(NAN)