The Ghana Taekwondo Federation on Friday, April 12, 2019 wrapped up their three-month Development of National Sports System (DNSS) programs beautifully with an Official Closing Ceremony held at the Korea Sports Complex after a ten-day 2nd National Licence Coaching Course ended same day at the WAM Taekwondo Academy.

The DNSS programs which begun with a 5 day residential, 2nd National Licence Referees Course and 1st Refresher Course for 40, continued with another 5 day residential Administrators Seminar for 20 and wrapped up with a ten days intensive 2nd National Licence Coaching Course for 42, was sponsored by the International Olympic Committee through the Ghana Olympic Committee.

In his welcome Address, President of the Ghana Taekwondo Federation, Frederick Lartey Otu was empathic on the impact the 3 month DNSS program will have on the Federation, expressing his appreciation for the support.

“The Federation wishes to assure the GOC that the DNSS will have a lasting impact on Taekwondo. The program has enabled the Federation to put new systems in place and train members to play new roles or old roles effectively. Taekwondo is taking a new turn and the Federation is grateful for the support it has been receiving from the GOC. Since the current executive board came into office over five years ago, the Federation has benefited from IOC support secured for the Federation by the GOC, which include, training scholarship for 2 athletes in 2014, Olympic Solidarity Technical Course for 20 coaches (two coaches from each region), and now the DNSS for a total number of 102 participants from all the regions."

He also called for support from all stakeholders in the development of the combat sport, while cautioning the beneficiaries of the 3 programs to be dedicated to the development of the sport in their communities.

“The Federation stands in need for more assistance to cope with International standards and produce world class athletes. We are counting on our key partners, the GOC, the National Sports Authority, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea and the Korean Residents Association in Ghana for support. We are preparing proposals for support to our stakeholders, and we hope for greater cooperation to realise the Taekwondo dream.”

“To my dear coaches and instructors, I wish to emphasize that each member of the Federation has a role to play. The executive board has worked tirelessly to secure support for championships and training courses over the past few years. Your role is to go to the schools and centres in your communities and open more Taekwondo clubs. You acknowledge the quality of the training that you have received and you must not go back and relax. You must work harder and get more Taekwondo students. We are all in Taekwondo because we love the sport but we can never realise our highest potentials as administrators, coaches, referees and athletes if we do not dedicate efforts to developing the sports in our communities.”

Resource person for the Coaching Course, Patrice Remarck advised the trained Coaches to dream big and aim high; using himself as an example of how he rose to becoming the Head Coach of the United States of America. He tasked them to make a plan, where they are and where they want to go, as that will make them successful coaches. He also advised that the country must have a system that will help the athletes.

The coaches who have been trained in Kyorugi and Poomsae demonstrated a bit of what they’ve acquired for the past 10 days to the admiration of all present.

After a course evaluation was presented by Prosper Medadues- Badohu, a beneficiary of all 3 programs, a Dobok (donated by national team coach Maxwell Alornyo) which has signatures of all trained coaches was presented to Patrice Remarck after which the Federation also presented a Certificate to both Patrice and Grandmaster KIM (Poomsae Resource person)

The Ceremony couldn’t have been more successful without the presence of the Director General of the National Sports Authority, Professor Peter Twumasi, who was in the company of Kwaku Wilson, the Ag Head of Technical at the National Sports Authority. Prof. Twumasi who was highly enthused about the progress made by the Federation, pledged more of such training programs, with a promise of helping whenever his outfit is called upon.

Also in attendance was the Ambassador of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, His Excellency KIM Sung Soo who was proud of the performance. He noted that his country will continue to give their support to the GTF and charged the practitioners to do their best to improve the sport.

Officially closing the DNSS program was the Secretary General of the Ghana Olympic Committee, Richard Akpokavie. He also promised the GOC's unflinching support to the GTF for Paris 2024.

The Ghana Taekwondo Federation will next have athletes participate at the 2019 World Taekwondo Championships in Manchester (United Kingdom) from May 15 to 19, 2019.

Athletes going will need financial support as they have committed themselves to getting to the highest levels and lifting the flag of Ghana high.