After modifying the plan for the development of the ITF in Asia, the “India” sub-project was finally able to start. Following a round trip, several cities were to be visited and seminars held in order to reach as many TKD students as possible and make personal contact with the responsible instructors. The primary aim was to achieve two objectives:
1. to advise and support the National Federation
2. to convince those interested to become members
Extreme heat in Delhi
On 9 June 2024, GM Paul Weiler (ITF President) and Master Yogi Chand (England) met in Frankfurt to take the flight to Delhi. Master Chand (8th Dan) has his roots in India, speaks the language and knows the culture of the country. He had casually mentioned in a conversation that he wanted to travel to India to visit his TKD students there and as the development of ITF TKD in India is on the priority list of the Asia Development Team, the travel plans of both instructors were adjusted. In Delhi, both were met at the airport by representatives of the national federation and taken to the hotel in temperatures of 48 degrees Celsius (already at 09:00 in the morning!).
The first part of the seminar began in the afternoon (in pleasant indoor temperatures) and 58 athletes took part, including two from Nepal. GM PW and Master YC taught the whole spectrum of what ITF TKD has to offer and went into a lot of detail as many questons wer asked.
Meeting with the board of India ITF
The second day of the seminar was characterised by repetitions, additions and continuation of the previous day and a subsequent meeting with the entire board to discuss activities, new goals and also to clarify questions and problems. Another point was the clarification of procedures for the admission of new members.
Next stop: Chennai
On Wednesday morning (12 June 2024), GM PW and Mst. YC, together with instructors from Chennai, Sabum Saravanan (6th Dan) and Dr Mukesh Kumar, who had already taken part in the seminar in Delhi travelled to this City. They checked into the hotel in the late afternoon. There they were welcomed by GM Najmi Abdullah (President ITF Malaysia), who will support the project in and for India. He is a member of the Asia Development Team and also has his roots in India, speaks the language and knows the culture and mentality of the people in the south of the country. His help during the discussions was very valuable.
In the evening, a short „get-to-know-you seminar“ was held in the open air, attended by around 50 – 60 athletes. The President of the ITF from Sri Lanka, Dr Cyril Anthony, also travelled to the event.
Training at the Physical Education & Sports University
Dr M. Sundar, Sabum Saravanan’s brother, is the Vice Chancellor of the Physical Education & Sports University in Chennai and he made it possible to train in a very nice hall. 110 athletes took part in the full-day seminar. The entire spectrum of TKD was taught once again. The seminar was interrupted by a traditional lunch, which was also attended by Dr Sundar. In a subsequent meeting in his office, it was naturally discussed sports training and ITF TKD. The versatility of our martial art was explained in particular and Dr Sundar was very impressed by the seminars on offer and the opportunities they provide. The connection with the sports university is a great opportunity for TKD to attract the attention of local and regional authorities, e.g. to establish TKD in schools.
Train journey to Bangalore
On Friday, 14.06.24, the journey from Chennai to Bangalore was made by train. At the railway station there, they were welcomed by Sabum Byrappa (4th Dan) and his family with a huge, traditional flower arrangement and then taken to the hotel. The following day, 135 athletes took part in the all-day seminar. One day later, a tournament was held in which mainly colour belts took part and competed against each other in the patterns and free sparring.
Back in Delhi
GM Weiler and Master Chand returned to Delhi in temperatures of only 44 degrees Celsius to meet with the NA Board again and continue the discussions begun the previous week. This time the focus was on the admission of new members and the associated procedure.
Conclusion:
The seminars in India (Delhi, Chennai and Bangalore) can indeed be considered very successful as the large groups from Chennai and Bangalore (in the south of the country) will join our ITF. The high quality seminars held and the face to face meetings have obviously done enough to convince them to make this change. This fact will have a great impact on the further development of our federation in India in terms of growth and activities, but also in the neighbouring countries. The transfer phase has begun and we warmly welcome the new members!
ITF
Strategic development of ITF Taekwon-Do in Asia
