Professor Peter Twumasi, Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), has commended the Ghana Taekwondo Federation (GTF) for developing a comprehensive data base on their athletes.

He said, this would help to easily identify the athletes, in terms of training needs, performance and the overall progress in their career adding that, it was the right way to grow the federation.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of GTF training programmed dubbed “Development of National Sports System (DNSS)”, sanctioned by International Olympic Committee (IOC), Professor Twumasi said, out of the 43 sporting disciplines, the GTF seems to be performing very well.

Prof. Twumasi, also commended the 42 coaches, that were certified by the IOC after undergoing the DNSS course to upgrade their knowledge in the sport.

“Ghana has talent, but we lack the ingredient of coaching, so this programme is laudable and inspiring as it can produce more champions for the nation,” he said.
He added that, sport was an avenue for job creation and improves health and fitness and must be taken serious by all stakeholders.

Mr. Fred Otu Lartey, President of the GTF, congratulated the coaches and asked them to transfer, what they have learnt to others, so the entire nation would benefit.

He said, Ghana was making progress in the sport, as his federation had trained over 100 practitioners in administration and communications, refereeing and coaching under the DNSS programme, with the target of winning an Olympic medal in the future.

Mr. Lartey, who is also the Treasurer of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) said, athletes and coaches need more support and exposure to modern trends in the sport to achieve their targets.

He urged them not to relent, but work hard and cooperate with each other with frequent communications and competitions.

H. E. Kim Sung Soo, the Korean Ambassador to Ghana who had been supporting the federation congratulated the participants and the resource persons as well as the media.

He said Taekwondo was more than a sport, as it helps practitioners to be disciplined.