ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopia is undertaking the necessary preparations to participate in all African games as well as the world taekwondo events by recruiting competent athletes, Ethiopian World Taekwondo Federation expressed.
The Federation announced that it is recruiting and capacitating talented athletes to realize the strong representation of the nation in local and international competitions, compatible with Ethiopia’s dedication to achieve excellence in taekwondo sport.
Approached by The Ethiopian Herald, Ethiopian World Taekwondo Federation CEO and Technic Committee President, Hailu Gudeta stated that the federation is relentlessly working to capacitate talented athletes in all states to improve the country’s representation and participation in taekwondo sport in local and global tournaments.
He said to achieve this, the Federation is supporting all states to recruit and train athletes thereby preparing competent taekwondo competitors that the country proud of.
The efficient implementation of such capacity building and support would result in participating and winning international taekwondo contests similar to what the nation achieve in short and long distance running, he suggested.
The country that had been only represented by a single taekwondo athlete in Olympic sport competition, he said. As a result, some taekwondo athletes are now emerging in Ethiopia’s sport sector.
“We are expanding the national competition through participating athletes from all states to create conducive environment to meet the standard and then help them involve in the world taekwondo Championship competitions next time.”
Competent Ethiopian athletes will first participate in all African games then advanced into international taekwondo competitions. Accordingly, Hailu mentioned that some athletes are getting training in various states, including Addis Ababa, to qualify and join the national team.
“We are closely working with South Korean Embassy in Addis and they are sponsoring referees and providing technical, material, and other supports,” he said.
He further noted that the government should give due attention for taekwondo, football, athletics and other sports through identifying, encouraging and investing to achieve the required results and build the good image of the country, Hailu noted.
BY MISGANAW ASNAKE
The Ethiopian Herald December 15/2014
