Sports

42 taekwondo coaches certified

An American taekwondo instructor, Patrice Remarck, has called for support for Ghanaian taekwondo athletes whom he described as very talented.

Their only handicap, he said, has been the lack of support from authorities and the corporate sector to push them up to compete with world class athletes.

Mr Remarck expressed optimism that with the right support in terms of infrastructure and logistics, Ghanaian athletes can reach the very top of the sport in the near future.

He said these at the closing ceremony of the Development of National Sports System (DNSS) course that ended over the weekend at the Korea Sports Centre in Tema on Friday.

Coaches that participated in the programme were presented with Grade C license certificate.

Remarck, a Cote d’Ivoire native and former USA Olympics and World champion as well as trainer of the US Armed Forces, said, Ghanaians are endowed in sports and with the right training and resources, they can become champions.

“I have noticed that Ghanaian Taekwondo athletes have the technique and potential to become champions in the near future.”

He advised the coaches to have self belief and aim to reach top level through discipline. He also admonished them to learn more, train regularly and remain focused on where they were going.

Mr Frederick Lartey Otu, President of the Ghana Taekwondo Federation (GTF) congratulated the coaches.

He said Ghana is making progress in Taekwondo with the training of over 100 practitioners in Administration and Communications, Refereeing and Coaching under the DNSS programme.

The whole exercise, he said, is aimed at winning an Olympic medal in either 2024 or 2028.

Mr Kim Sung Soo, the Korean Ambassador to Ghana who was the guest congratulated the participants and the resource person adding that taekwondo was more than a sport because it moulds practitioners to be disciplined.

Prof. Peter Twumasi, Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA) congratulated the Ghana Taekwondo Federation (GTF) for the progress so far.

The General Secretary of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), Richard Akpokavie said the GOC was ready to support federations that come up with positive development programmes through the Olympic Solidarity Fund.

BY TIMES SPORTS REPORTER

Show More
Back to top button