Dear
World Taekwondo Family,
Happy
New Year and I wish all Taekwondoin around the world a safe and
wonderful 2023!
This
year, World Taekwondo will celebrate our Golden Jubilee! From our founding on
May 28, 1973, World Taekwondo and Taekwondo as a sport have become a globally
recognised brand.
Over
the past 50 years, World Taekwondo:
·
Has
grown its membership base with 212 Member National Associations plus one
Refugee Team
·
Was
included in six consecutive Olympic Games (Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing
2008, London 2012, Rio 2016, and Tokyo 2020), with Paris 2024 and LA 2028 in
the horizons
·
Debuted
in the Paralympic Games (Tokyo 2020)
·
Has
organised hundreds of promoted events including 25 World Championships, 13
Junior Championships, 5 Cadet Championships, 12 Poomsae Championships, and 9
Para Taekwondo Championships
·
Has
been recognised as the leading international federation on humanitarian
activities
We
created many historic firsts in 2022, including the inaugural World Taekwondo
Hall of Fame, Para Taekwondo in the Grand Prix Series, and an electrifying
World Taekwondo Demonstration Team’s performance at the ANOC Awards.
Taekwondo
not only thrilled; we also inspired.
In
2022, World Taekwondo and the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation organised the first-ever
Hope and Dreams Refugee Taekwondo Championships in Amman, Jordan, with the
participation of more than 200 youths and children from the Azraq and Za’atari
refugee camps.
With
regard to the Olympic Solidarity Scholarship Program for the Paris 2024 Olympic
Games, Taekwondo has the second highest number of scholarship holders with
eight athletes including two from the Azraq refugee camp.
To
celebrate our 50th Founding Anniversary in 2023, the theme is “Peace
in Mind, Taekwondo at Heart”. In this regard, I ask all Member National
Associations to promote the theme and 50th Founding Anniversary logo
in your respective events in 2023.
World
Taekwondo will organise a special Gala at the World Taekwondo Championships in
Baku (Azerbaijan) on May 28th to commemorate the best male and
female athletes from each Olympic and Paralympic Games.
During
the Gala, we will also honour the founding Member National Associations of
World Taekwondo that participated in the inaugural World Championships and General
Assembly on May 28, 1973.
World
Taekwondo and THF will invite international federations for the inaugural Hope
and Dreams Sports Festival for Refugees. I firmly believe that all sports must
be inclusive and therefore, World Taekwondo will take the initiative to create
a Hope and Dreams Sports Peace Corps comprising the international federations
of the Olympic and Paralympic movements.
Most
importantly, I wish to thank the Member National Associations and authorities
for your support in hosting World Taekwondo events. Your support to develop elite
athletes and reach out to the grassroots is the essence of Taekwondo’s
promotion globally.
I
believe that 2023 will truly be a special year as we lay the foundations for World
Taekwondo’s Centenary. I thank you in advance for your continued support as we
carry on in our journey to strive for excellence.
Be
safe, healthy and happy in 2023!
President