Taekwando practitioners update skills

Kumasi, Aug. 11, GNA - The Ashanti Regional technical head of the Ghana Taekwando Association, (GTA), Mr Simon Koku Gluikpor has called on adherents of the sport to use their skills and expertise for self defence and protection of the weak and vulnerable in the society.

Mr Gluikpor warned them not to under any circumstance use their skills to harass innocent persons or engage in violence or vandalism since the sport was not meant for bullying and harassment.

The technical head was addressing the opening ceremony of a five-day refresher course for Taekwando practitioners in the Ashanti Region at the Baba Yara Sports stadium in Kumasi.

The World Taekwando Federation is organizing the event in collaboration with the GTA for about 500 practitioners.

The participants were taken through "fighting skills", "self-defence", "demonstration" and "poomsey" - a combination of punches, kicks, posture and blockings.

Taekwando is one of the disciplines of martial arts used by the practitioners for self-defence and entails the use of one's bare hands, legs and forehead.

The other disciplines include Karate-do, Shotokan and Judo.

Mr Gluikpor said "poomsey" constituted the most crucial aspect of Taekwando because it is the only technique applied by the practitioner when he or she is under attack by two or more opponents.

He described the sport as "very important" to one's health and encouraged more Ghanaians to embrace it to build strength and muscles and boost their immune system.

Mr Francis Kpesenu, Regional Sports Development Officer (RSDO), said with the high rate of diseases among the people due to unhealthy lifestyles, Taekwando presents an opportunity for all to train and develop their self esteem and to improve their health status.