Frederick Lartey Otu, President of the Ghana Taekwondo Federation (GTF) has kicked the Sports Writers Association very hard by blasting them for not responding to their invites but wait for four years before honouring one player.
Speaking to yours truly at the 5th Mission Open Taekwondo Team Championship at the Accra Sports Stadium, the strict but jovial President said it saddens him that the whole body that controls and unites the sports media does not attend their events, except a few individual media houses and journalists who cover Taekwondo.
He noted that sports men and women in Ghana have great respect for the Sports Writers Association, hence he wonders why they are not present at their events or there is even no one to represent the President or Executive.
According to Lartey Otu, most sports journalists have taken a stand of promoting only football, allowing the lesser known and least financed sports to suffer.
“I believe you people are part of our problem, if you support us with write ups and do more coverage on our events, certainly we shall attract sponsors and play our role in sports development” he said.
The President of the Ghana Taekwondo Federation announced that they are preparing a strong team for the upcoming All African Games and currently they are camping the best players to be in good form before the Games in Congo.
He hinted that Taekwondo is an Olympic Sports and it offers opportunities in different sectors of life, because those who play the sport can gain employment with the security agencies or take it as a professional sport.
He urged the media, led by SWAG to promote and educate the general public on Taekwondo to encourage more people to participate.
“As President I am doing my best to build the capacity of the technical men and we have been able to take some of them for international coaching and refereeing courses in Europe, we hope to do more if we get the funds and publicity” he stressed.
The 5th Mission Open Taekwondo Team Championship attracted clubs such as Power, University of Ghana, Ghana Prisons, UHTA, WAM, Rangoon, Power Kixx Mipro, Accra Poly, Sunyani, Barnes and STI.
The President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), Professor Francis Dodoo graced the Open which was chaired by veteran journalist Kweku Sakyi Addo , a Taekwondo player with black belt second dan. In attendance also was the Korean Ambassador to Ghana Lyeo Wan Ki who wished that the sport is taken to the schools and community clubs.
Alhaji Blackie Bello, who sponsored the Championship, encouraged the players to give off their best and aspire to represent Ghana at international competition. He congratulated the GTF for putting up the event.