The Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF) Board of Trustees meeting took place via videoconference today, with the THF projects for 2020 at the centre of the discussions.
The global coronavirus pandemic has caused significant disruption to the THF’s existing projects in Jordan, Rwanda and Turkey, as the respective refugee camps remain under quarantine. However, the THF is working to ensure that young refugees continue to keep active to protect their physical and mental health. Across the camps, some athletes and para athletes are maintaining hopes of qualifying for future Olympic or Paralympic Games.
To support with training, THF coaches are sending videos to their athletes while they are not able to provide on-site coaching. In addition, the Board agreed to renew the THF projects in Jordan, Turkey and Rwanda and to start projects once the global restrictions have passed, but no earlier than the next Board meeting in November.
The Board also voted to host the first-ever WT-THF Peace Forum during the next World Taekwondo Championships in Wuxi in 2021 to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the UN International Day of Peace, which was endorsed by UN in 1981 by Dr. Young-seek Choue’s proposal. International Federations (IFs) that have signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with World Taekwondo and the THF will be invited to the Peace Forum along with other high-level officials.
THF Chairman Chungwon Choue said:
"The global coronavirus pandemic has significantly impacted the THF, like it has organisations all around the world. With many refugee camps under quarantine, our THF projects are on hold and new projects are delayed. However, this awful global pandemic will not stop refugees from training. We have been heartened to see so many refugees keeping active through taekwondo. It is a reminder of the universal accessibility of taekwondo and its power to bring people joy and health benefits no matter where they are and what the circumstances are."
Information was also shared on the creation of a joint education project between the THF, World Taekwondo and the IFs that have signed MOUs with them. Resources will be allocated to work on an education toolkit that will keep refugees engaged and help them to maintain their mental health.
The next THF Board meeting is scheduled for 7 November in Lausanne, pending travel restrictions being lifted.
25 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is www.aroundtherings.com, for subscribers only
Últimas Noticias
Boxing’s place in the Olympics remains in peril as IOC still unhappy with the state of AIBA’s reform efforts
The IOC says issues concerning governance, finance, and refereeing and judging must be sorted out to its satisfaction. AIBA says it’s confident that will happen and the federation will be reinstated.
McLaren report to FIBA confirms abuses in the Mali women’s basketball program
The investigation could not “independently verify” allegations against FIBA president Hamane Niang, who has resumed his duties after stepping aside during the probe.
ATR Extra: 1st ISF U15 World School Sport Games – Belgrade 2021
Olympic Channel is live streaming the basketball, basketball 3x3, football, judo and wrestling competitions during the event, which runs September 11-19.
International Judo Federation bans Algerian athlete and coach for 10 years for refusing to fight an Israeli at Tokyo 2020
Judoka Fethi Nourine and his coach Amar Benikhlef admitted they were withdrawing from competition to avoid a potential match with Tohar Butbul of Israel.
IIHF bans Belarus hockey president for five years for code of conduct violations - Federation Focus
Also: no contested election for next ITTF president; BWF calendar shrinks as event in India cancelled due to pandemic; FISU announces early bids for 2027 and 2029 World University Games
