A 30-day training programme brought together 102 police personnel and private security professionals, demonstrating how ITF Taekwon-Do principles can contribute to specialised professional training.
The Tanzania Taekwon-Do Association (TTA) has successfully completed a 30-day VIP Close Protection Training Course for Tanzania Police personnel and selected professionals from the private security sector. Held from 28 July to 28 August 2026 at the Dar es Salaam Police Academy, the programme brought together 102 participants, marking an important step in the application of ITF Taekwon-Do beyond the traditional martial arts environment.
The course was delivered by two International Instructors from the Tanzania Taekwon-Do Association (TTA), Sbn John Arnold Masawe and Sbn Maximillian Stephen Kailangana. Of the 102 participants, 87 were members of the Tanzania Police and 15 represented the private security sector.
Building a stronger ITF community in Africa
The initiative also reflects a broader development within the ITF’s African community. For more than two decades, the ITF Africa Development Team has played a role in the Federation’s endeavour to strengthen its member organisations across the continent and support the continued development of Taekwon-Do in Africa. This long-term commitment to institutional development is about creating the foundations for sustainable growth, supporting national organisations and enabling them to develop their own capabilities and initiatives.
The Tanzania programme offers an encouraging example of how this development can translate into practical results. By applying their expertise in a specialised professional environment, the Tanzania Taekwon-Do Association demonstrates the growing opportunities for ITF member organisations to contribute beyond traditional martial arts activities and engage with wider society.
Combining professional knowledge and Taekwon-Do principles
Designed as a Foundation-Level programme, the training introduced participants to the fundamental responsibilities and competencies required in VIP close protection. The curriculum covered a broad range of subjects, including the roles and responsibilities of a Close Protection Officer, professional ethics and conduct, operational planning, information gathering, situational awareness, threat assessment, protective movement and security procedures. A particular focus was placed on tactical unarmed combat, incorporating ITF Taekwon-Do principles and techniques into the context of personal protection.
The programme combined classroom instruction with practical demonstrations and field-based exercises. This approach enabled participants to apply the knowledge acquired during theoretical sessions and develop foundational practical competencies in a structured training environment.
Putting knowledge into practice
The programme culminated on 28 August with a field training exercise and a live demonstration presented before the leadership of the Dar es Salaam Police Academy. The closing activities provided an opportunity for participants to demonstrate their practical engagement with the training and highlighted the instructors’ ability to deliver a structured programme to a substantial group of security professionals. The successful completion of the course also strengthened the relationship between the Tanzania Taekwon-Do Association and the institutional security training environment.
Expanding the professional potential of ITF Taekwon-Do
The Tanzania initiative represent a first sight the successful completion of a specialised training course. In addition, it also demonstrates how the principles and expertise developed through ITF Taekwon-Do can contribute to professional environments beyond conventional martial arts instruction. Discipline, control, precision, coordination and effective movement are valuable foundations in a range of specialised fields. Combined with appropriate professional knowledge and practical training, these principles offer opportunities for ITF instructors and national associations to contribute to the development of skills required in the security and protective services sectors.
For the ITF, the programme also highlights the potential to establish new institutional relationships with police academies, security organisations and private-sector employers. It provides an encouraging example of how member organisations can develop specialised training initiatives that respond to professional needs while creating new opportunities for instructor development. In consequence, the Tanzania Taekwon-Do Association’s experience could serve as an inspiration for other ITF member organisations interested in exploring similar programmes.
From institutional development to wider impact
The successful completion of the programme represents an important achievement for the Tanzania Taekwon-Do Association. It illustrates the value of the ITF’s long-term commitment to developing its African member organisations. Building institutional strength, supporting local capabilities and empowering national associations creates opportunities for initiatives that extend far beyond conventional Taekwon-Do training.
The ITF congratulates the Tanzania Taekwon-Do Association and the instructors Sbn John Arnold Masawe and Sbn Maximillian Stephen Kailangana on this achievement.
As the ITF continues its efforts to support the development of Taekwon-Do across Africa, initiatives such as this provide an inspiring example of what strong national organisations can accomplish and how the expertise of the ITF community can benefit society.
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