As reported by the Daily Trust, Lee was speaking during the graduation ceremony for children who took part in the KCCN summer taekwondo programme in Abuja.

He said many Nigerian kids were developing an interest in the sport because of the popularity of Chukwumerije, the only Nigerian to win an Olympic taekwondo medal at Beijing 2008, an over-80 kilograms bronze.

Last week, Chukwumerije, the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation's technical director, was appointed to World Taekwondo’s Taekwondo for All Committee.

Lee described the appointment as an acknowledgement of Nigeria's contribution to taekwondo.

"I am always impressed with the passion and commitment Nigerians have for taekwondo," he was reported as saying by Leadership.

"Nigeria has a lot of potential in taekwondo and in a no distant time will produce world champions."

He added: "Whenever I see him (Chukwumerije), I am impressed because he commands a lot influence in taekwondo, not just in Nigeria, but across the globe.

"He is an icon of taekwondo in Nigeria for millions of Nigerians and he has made a significant impact on taekwondo."

Coach Abdulmalik Saidu said 56 children, who were below three years of age, took part in the programme.

About 85 per cent of them graduated from white belt to yellow belt level, while others, who had prior knowledge of the sport, moved to blue belt level.

Saidu noted that as well as teaching the kids how to kick, the target was also to instil in them the spirit of sportsmanship, discipline and teamwork.

The taekwondo classes are organised by the KCC of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Nigeria.

They are part of regular activities aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between Nigeria and South Korea.