Good news of ITF

Dear Members!

In many countries, school starts at the beginning of September and with that, perhaps some normality will return to our daily lives. However, the Corona Virus Pandemic still has a firm grip on us – more in some countries and less in others. Restrictions and bans are unfortunately still the order of the day, but they are also sensible and necessary. It takes discipline and perseverance (characteristics of Taekwon-Do) on the part of everyone to comply with government regulations and to make a personal contribution to overcoming this terrible pandemic. I have information that some coaches have made very heavy financial losses because they have also lost students due to the pandemic, thus putting their financial basis at risk. Our sponsors have also suffered financial losses, some of them very heavy, which may also put jobs at risk. This is all a bad scenario and currently reality.

But there are worse things. I mean those who have been infected by this disease and even died from the consequences of this disease, like Master Gennady Han just recently. My thoughts are with the family members who are in the situation described above. I wish them much strength to overcome this situation.

The ITF Executive Board and Committees are constantly reflecting on how we can continue our work and still provide service to members after all the postponements and cancellations of ITF events (many projects are on hold) since February this year. 

This is where modern technology can help us, in the form of online seminars, zoom meetings, etc. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks for the work of the ITF Committees and their members, who are all very actively involved in preparing and organising these seminars, meetings and even tournaments. Please find below a short overview over the started projects:

Adapted Committee               – NEW! A concept is being developed for the project “TKD Inclusion” which will be presented shortly.

Anti Doping Committee          – Adaptation of WADA rules to the new regulations

A, R & C Committee              – NEW! Audit of accounts and financial control

Athletes Committee               – NEW! Preparation and implementation of a survey – together with the Coach Committee

Business & Marketing Com.  – NEW! Development of proposals for the preparation of a TKD APP and a concept for obtaining financial resources

Coaches Committee              – NEW! Preparation and implementation of a survey – together with the Athletes Committee

Communication Committee   – Daily work on the new ITF website, initiating projects and publications on the ITF website and Facebook etc.

GM Promotion Committee     – NEW! Is currently working on precise rules for the 9th Dan

Disciplinary Committee          – Is currently working on a draft of the disciplinary rules

Do & Ethics Committee         – NEW! With the merging of the Do & the Ethics Committee there are new tasks and projects in progress.

Harmony Committee              – A new concept is being developed and will be presented shortly.

IT Committee                         – NEW! This committee is leading the way for the e -Tournament, which will take place next month     

Kid’s Committee                     – A new concept is being developed and will be presented shortly

Umpire Committee                 – conducted Umpire seminars in all Continents and works with the IT and Tournament Committee to implement the e-Tournament

Technical Committee             – Organizes seminars for all belt levels including special seminars for 7 and 8 Degree and Grand Masters

Tournament Committee         – works with the IT and Tournament Committee to implement the e-Tournament

Women Committee                – NEW! Organises seminars for all members and provides many training tips. Takes special care of the interests of women and girls in the ITF

I would also like to thank some members for their ideas and suggestions, most of which we were able to implement quickly and for which we remain open.

We cannot see into the future and predict how severe and how long the pandemic will affect us but we can survive this difficult time if we work and stick together. To do this we need health and strength, which I wish you all from the bottom of my heart.

GM Paul Weiler

ITF President