Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Ghanaian Times
Published on 2024-03-08 08:45:08
The Korean government, through its embassy in Accra, has generously provided taekwondo equipment to the Ghana Taekwondo Federation (GTF) to support the preparation and organization of the 13th African Games in Ghana. The equipment, which consists of three sets of KPNP Electronic Protector and Scoring System valued at $33,000, underscores Korea’s commitment to developing taekwondo not only in Ghana but also globally.
During the presentation ceremony, the Korean Ambassador, Mr. Park Kyongsig, emphasized that the donation was aimed at promoting the development of taekwondo in Ghana and other African countries. He highlighted the immense potential of taekwondo as a sport with a growing international presence, evident by its inclusion in the Olympic Games.
Ambassador Kyongsig commended the strong bilateral relations between Ghana and Korea and reiterated his government’s ongoing support for the Ghana Taekwondo Federation. Over the years, the Korean government, through the embassy, has assisted in nurturing more than 90 taekwondo clubs in Ghana and supporting various taekwondo championships in the country to identify and develop young taekwondo talents.
Expressing gratitude on behalf of the GTF, President Mr. Frederick Lartey Otu thanked the Korean Embassy for the generous donation, citing their consistent support to the federation. He emphasized the significance of the equipment in ensuring the successful staging of a world-class taekwondo event during the championship.
Mr. Otu also acknowledged other institutions such as World Taekwondo and the African Taekwondo Union (AFTU) for their contributions to the GTF. World Taekwondo provided three sets of KPNP competition mats, while AFTU supported the African Games with Instant Video Replay on Venue Results and Poomase Scoring Systems. Mr. Ide Issaka, President of AFTU, was recognized for his efforts in introducing Poomase and Mixed Gender Team Kyorugi competitions for the first time in the history of the African Games.
The presentation ceremony was attended by key personalities including Mr. Balla Dieye, Secretary-General of AFTU, and Mr. Ernest Danso, Ghana’s Chef d’Mission for the Games, as well as officials from the embassy. The collaboration between these organizations and the support from the Korean government symbolize a collective effort to elevate taekwondo in Ghana and contribute to the success of the 13th African Games.
In conclusion, the gesture of goodwill from the Korean government serves as a testament to the strong partnership between Ghana and Korea in promoting sports development. The equipment provided will undoubtedly enhance the training and performance of taekwondo athletes in Ghana, ultimately striving for success and medaling in the upcoming African Games.
Read the original article on Ghanaian Times
