The Ghana Taekwondo Federation (GTF), in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Ghana, has outlined a new focus on grassroots development and athlete pathways following the 16th Korean Ambassador’s Cup Taekwondo Championship held at the Borteyman Sports Complex on Saturday, August 29.

The championship brought together approximately 160 athletes in the Cadet and Junior divisions from seven regions to compete in Poomsae and Kyorugi. Medals were awarded to winners in the various weight categories, while trophies were presented to the best-performing athletes in each division.

Speaking at the championship, Frederick Lartey Otu, President of the Ghana Taekwondo Federation, said the newly elected Executive Board was committed to building a stronger, more inclusive, professionally administered and internationally competitive Federation, with grassroots development at the centre of its agenda.

“We have inherited an important legacy. But we equally recognise that we have a responsibility to build upon that legacy and take Ghana Taekwondo to the next level,” Otu said.

He said the Federation wanted every region, club, school and talented young person to have a place and a pathway within Ghana Taekwondo.

“Our objective is not simply to organise more competitions. Our objective is to build a sustainable Taekwondo development system that produces athletes, coaches, referees and administrators capable of representing Ghana with pride,” Otu said.

As part of this new direction, the Federation will launch a Regional Taekwondo Awareness Campaign in the Ashanti Region in September 2026.

The campaign will take Taekwondo into schools and communities, with an initial focus on five regions: Northern, Upper West, Bono, Central and Ashanti. The initiative is aimed at identifying young people with the potential to become future Taekwondo athletes, particularly in communities where access to sporting opportunities is limited.

The Federation believes that talent exists across Ghana and should not be concentrated only in the country’s major cities.

“Talent is not concentrated only in Accra, Kumasi or other major cities. There are talented young boys and girls in communities across Ghana who simply need an opportunity, proper coaching and the right support. Our responsibility as a Federation is to find them,” Otu said.

The Federation is also working towards establishing a clear development pathway for young athletes, beginning with schools and communities, moving through clubs and regional teams, and leading to the national team and eventually continental and international competition. The pathway is intended to ensure that young people identified through grassroots programmes have access to coaching, competition, technical development and opportunities to progress to higher levels.

The Korean Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Park Kyongsig, reaffirmed the Embassy’s commitment to supporting the continued development of Taekwondo in Ghana through technical assistance, equipment and cultural exchange.

Ambassador Park described Taekwondo as an important cultural bridge between Ghana and Korea, with benefits extending beyond competition to discipline, youth development and mental well-being.

“I am delighted to see many young Ghanaians embracing Taekwondo. Korea remains committed to supporting its development through equipment, technical assistance and cultural exchange,” Ambassador Park said.

The Ambassador’s remarks reinforce the long-standing partnership between Ghana and Korea through Taekwondo, with the Korean Ambassador’s Cup now in its 16th edition.

The new GTF Executive Board, which assumed office following the Federation’s Elective Congress on July 18, 2026, has also begun strengthening the Federation’s technical and operational structures.

A Technical Committee has been established to support athlete development, coaching, competitions, technical standards, technical education and other technical programmes.

Otu said the Federation would continue to work with the National Sports Authority, Ghana Olympic Committee, Embassy of the Republic of Korea, the Ministry responsible for Sports, schools, educational institutions, Regional Associations, corporate organisations, sponsors and development partners to expand opportunities for Taekwondo across Ghana.

The 16th Korean Ambassador’s Cup brought together athletes, coaches, referees and officials from seven regions. While Greater Accra recorded a strong medal performance, the national participation demonstrated the growing reach of Taekwondo and the potential for further development beyond the country’s major urban centres.

For the Ghana Taekwondo Federation, the championship marks both a celebration of the sport’s development over the past sixteen editions and the beginning of a renewed effort to identify, develop and support the next generation of Ghanaian Taekwondo athletes