By Simon Asare, GNA
Accra, Oct. 20, GNA – The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Ghana has donated modern taekwondo equipment to the Ghana Taekwondo Federation (GTF) to support the development of the sport in the country.
The items, which included taekwondo uniforms and training equipment, are expected to enhance the training of athletes, coaches and referees.
Mr Park Kyongsig, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Ghana, who presented the items, said he was delighted that Ghanaian athletes would have access to new equipment to improve their training.
He pledged the Embassy’s continued support, including facilitating technical assistance and helping to secure additional equipment for the development of taekwondo in Ghana.
Ambassador Park said the support was also aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between Ghana and the Republic of Korea through sports development.
He commended the Ghana Taekwondo Federation for its dedication to developing the sport and assured the Federation of continued cooperation.
Mr Frederick Lartey Otu, President of the Ghana Taekwondo Federation, who received the equipment, expressed appreciation to the Embassy, saying the donation had come at an opportune time as the Federation intensified its nationwide awareness campaign.
“The equipment will be used to train the athletes, coaches and referees. The ongoing awareness campaign is all about this because without the athletes, coaches and referees, we cannot have taekwondo in Ghana,” he said.
Mr Otu said the Federation would conclude its awareness campaign in the first week of December, after which its technical committee would put in place modalities for the selection of national team athletes.
He said the Federation was also developing a ranking system under which athletes who competed in GTF-recognised championships would earn points towards their rankings in their respective weight categories.
Mr Otu said the new administration was not focusing solely on competitions but was also strengthening the Federation’s administrative structures to sustain the development of the sport.
“We are not putting our efforts only into competitions. We want to make sure that the administrative pillars are strong enough to carry the actions we want to take,” he said.
He added that committees, including a Sponsorship Committee, were being constituted to support the Executive Board in administering and developing taekwondo in Ghana.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Simon Asare
Email: [email protected]