The Ghana Taekwondo Federation (GTF) begun the African Youth Taekwondo Development Project at the Aburi Girls Senior High School on Friday, December 11, 2021.
Ghana, among other 7 African countries (Senegal, Madagascar, DR Congo, South Africa, Gabon, Mauritania, Ethiopia) have chosen from ‘Education, Camping or Competition, for the Project, funded by the African Taekwondo Union (AFTU), to whip up the interest and keep the combat sport active in a post-Covid era.
Under the theme ‘Taekwondo for Physical and Mental Discipline’ General Secretary, General Master Adnan Odartey Lamptey took the over 100 participants through theoretical sessions while Maxwell Theodore Alornyo, together with a demonstration team handled the practical sessions.
President of the Ghana Taekwondo Federation, and Chairman of the Development Committee of the AFTU, Frederick Lartey Otu in his address, challenged the participants to continue to practice Taekwondo.
“You are fortunate to be the first school to benefit from the program in Ghana and I can see that most of you want to continue. Female athletes like you have been doing tremendously and I have no doubt that you can take over and do better and be the best in your region and Ghana. We are beginning to encourage young ones like you to practice the sport. It has been the mission of the African Taekwondo Union President, Mr Ide Issaka, to develop and promote Youth in Taekwondo and that is why this Project has come to light. That is a good mission and I can see it’s impact already here. I am challenging all of you to continue to practice the sport and it is because your sister school, Methodist Girls SHS are doing very well.”
Three participants, Allor Murijana Wekia, Precious Niminye and Nancy Nhyirabea Mante, who answered correctly questions asked after both theoretical and practical, were presented with Taekwondo Uniforms.
Stacy Eyra Amedeka and Stacy Adzei Tetteh spoke about their experience after the 4-hour Education session.
“We learnt a lot; We learnt that Taekwondo is very good for your health. It helps your mentality and helps you learn very well and keeps you fit. It was very exciting and educative and we got to exercise our body in addition. We will start training as soon as possible with the school club, every Saturday. We’ll tell people out there, that they shouldn’t listen to all the misconceptions about the sport, but they should be part of it. It doesn’t make you rigid as a female but it’s good, you’ll learn skills to defend yourself. We are ready to fight unto the next level.”
The GTF Education Team will visit 2 other Schools in the coming week, to wrap up the Program.
Credit: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey
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