A routine check on the 16 people in question raised suspicions as none of the names were associated with taekwondo in Nigeria.

The visas have subsequently been revoked.

The Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF) cooperated with the QTF following a recent drive in the country to tackle visa racketeering through sports.

The 16 people rumbled as part of the scam are now being investigated.

The impersonators even signed off their emails used to attempt to get entry into the country in the name of NTF President George Ashiru, and gave the correct address of the national governing body office in Lagos.

But they provided the wrong phone number of the NTF, as well as a false fax number for the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC).

Several members of Nigeria's successful taekwondo team from last year's Commonwealth Championships are due to compete in the Qatar International Open ©NTF

"The Nigeria Taekwondo Federation is a very active, progressive and well connected organisation that uses the taekwondo to positively impact the lives of Nigerians and build career paths for hardworking Nigerian sportsmen and women," Ashiru said.

"Your illegal activities would harm the chances and careers of thousands of our upcoming and current taekwondo practitioners in Nigeria.

"Stay away from taekwondo and all sports federations."

Nigeria are set to send a strong team to the inaugural Qatar International Taekwondo Open, including some of those that won medals at the 6th Commonwealth Taekwondo Championships, an event sanctioned by the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) in Edinburgh, last year.

Abubakar Adamu, Shola Olowookere and Jamilu Mohammed each clinched gold, while
Chika Chukwumerije claimed silver, and Uzoamaka Otuadinma and Segun Olushola took bronze.

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