WTF President discusses future development of para-taekwondo

World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) President Chungwon Choue visited the WTF office in Lausanne earlier this month (7-8 February) to discuss the future development of para-taekwondo following its historic inclusion in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games sports programme.

The WTF has already seen a significant increase in interest from its 206 national federations to develop para-taekwondo in their countries since the International Paralympic Committee's announcement on 31 January 2015. The WTF had long identified Paralympic inclusion as a way of increasing worldwide participation and helping to realise the huge potential of the global sport.

The WTF Council approved a Para-Taekwondo Strategic Plan during last year's meeting in October. The plan which will be implemented from 2015 to 2020 provides a framework for the WTF to instigate innovative programmes and reforms for the development and expansion of para-taekwondo worldwide. The plan will now be revised following para-taekwondo's inclusion in the Paralympic programme with the organisational structure set to be expanded to meet the increasing demand in participation.

WTF President Choue said: "It is a great honour for the WTF to be included in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. We now have a responsibility to ensure that we maximise the opportunities this presents us with and grow our sport to its full potential. We are very grateful to the IPC for granting us this privilege and we are committed to showing them that they made the right decision to put their faith in us."