In a historic gathering at the Bears Hotel in Chuncheon, the newly reformed Commonwealth Taekwondo Union (CTU) held its inaugural General Assembly, with representatives from Commonwealth nations participating in World Taekwondo. This milestone meeting marked the CTU’s official launch, setting the stage for its ambitious mission: securing Taekwondo’s recognition as an official sport in the Commonwealth Games.

The General Assembly elected Kee Ha, President of Taekwondo Canada, as the CTU President. Speaking on behalf of the CTU, Mr. Ha emphasized the organization’s core objective: “This organization was founded with the primary goal of having Taekwondo adopted as an official sport at the Commonwealth Games. Taekwondo is already the official sport in numerous multi-sport events, but it has yet to be included in the Commonwealth Games.”

Mr. Ha outlined the CTU’s timeline and goal, specifically targeting the 2030 Commonwealth Games scheduled to take place in Canada. “Our goal is to have Taekwondo officially recognized as a sport for the Commonwealth Games, which will take place in Canada in 2030, and the CTU Council and I are fully committed to achieving this,” he stated.

COMMONWEALTH GAMES

The Commonwealth Games, like the Olympics, are held every four years and bring together athletes from 74 Commonwealth nations to compete in a diverse array of sports. However, despite Taekwondo’s global prominence and status in other major multi-sport events, it remains absent from the Commonwealth Games lineup.

Dr. Chungwon Choue, President of World Taekwondo, expressed his support for the CTU’s new leadership and vision, saying, “I welcome the election of CTU Council. We look forward to efforts toward having Taekwondo included as an official sport in the Commonwealth Games.” His endorsement underscores World Taekwondo’s commitment to furthering the sport’s growth and recognition on the international stage.

CTU ANNOUNCEMENT

The CTU also announced the election of five Vice Presidents: Namdev Shirgaonkar from India, Jean Kfoury from Australia, Sulieman Sumba from Kenya, Henderson Turton from Barbados, and Anna Vassallo from Malta. Additional members of the CTU Council include Ahmed Wasim (Pakistan), Jin Keun Oh (New Zealand), Frederick Lartey Otu (Ghana), and Said Khelwatty (United Kingdom). In alignment with CTU statutes, President Ha appointed Wayne Mitchell from Canada as the CTU’s Secretary General.

With its leadership team in place, the Commonwealth Taekwondo Union stands poised to advocate for the inclusion of Taekwondo in one of the world’s most renowned multi-sport events. The road ahead will involve strategic partnerships, advocacy, and coordinated efforts among Commonwealth nations. The CTU’s formation is a significant step, reflecting a shared determination among member nations to elevate Taekwondo’s profile within the Commonwealth Games and showcase the sport’s global appeal to a broader audience.

As the countdown to the 2030 Commonwealth Games continues, the CTU’s journey will be closely watched by Taekwondo enthusiasts and sports fans worldwide, all eager to see Taekwondo take its place on the Commonwealth Games stage.