Taekwondo Day 2007 - Message of the WTF President
By WTF
Friday, September 07, 2007
WTF President Chungwon Choue delivered a congratulatory message for the global taekwondo family on the occasion of the 2nd Taekwondo Day which fell on Sept. 4th 2007.
“As we recognize the efforts and sacrifices of our taekwondo masters, athletes, referees and officials, I wish to thank each of you for your continued dedication to and support for the development of taekwondo and the WTF,” WTF President Choue said.
The WTF president expressed his appreciation to member national associations for their respective various functions to mark the Taekwondo Day.
As part of its efforts to mark the special day, the WTF posted its official taekwondo anthem on its Web site for global promotion. The WTF approved the adoption of the taekwondo anthem at its General Assembly in Beijing, China on May 17, 2007.
The WTF has now a global membership of 186 countries, with the latest addition of Gambia as a provisional member.
The martial art sport of taekwondo assigns great value to manners and discipline among practitioners, according to the WTF president. “We have devoted much of our energy and time in working to ensure the fairest judging and refereeing possible through enhanced referee education programs.”
“Fairer judging and refereeing will undoubtedly help bring a more orderly environment to the taekwondo competitions, in which there will be more trust among athletes, coaches and referees.
In recognition of the WTF’s contribution to and efforts for the betterment of the mankind, he said, the IOC agreed to the WTF request of two bronze medals in the taekwondo competition starting with the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, thus raising the total number of taekwondo medals to be awarded at the Olympic Games to 32.
The ASOIF General Assembly also approved its Council proposal of promoting the WTF from Group E to Group D for the WTF’s contribution to the overall Games program, meaning greater Olympic TV rights revenues for the WTF starting the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
“There are definitely signs of our improved international standing. I assure you that there will be more to come,” WTF President Chouesaid.
