The ITF General Assembly 2026 was held in Benidorm, Spain, bringing together representatives of ITF Member Associations to discuss important matters concerning the Federation’s governance, membership, equipment standards and future development.
The Congress, the informal name of the General Assembly in the ITF community, once again provided an opportunity for Member Associations to participate directly in the decision-making processes of the Federation and to exchange views on issues affecting the international ITF community. After all, the Congress is the highest institution in the ITF.
New Member Association Welcomed
Among the matters addressed was the information of termination and admission of new Ordinary Members. Among the organisations which terminated their membership was Slovenia due to internal organisational issues. Given the long history of Slovenia in the ITF, the involved officials founded a new organisation that received strong support from the Congress, with 108 votes in favour, three against and no abstentions to be admitted as an Ordinary Member again.
Board of Directors By-Election
The highlight was definitely the By-Election for a female member-at-large of the ITF Board of Directors. The secret vote, after strong presentation by three candidates, won Master Christine Young of ITF New Zealand with 56 of the 115 votes cast. Sbn. Edith Vázquez of Paraguay received 41 votes, while Sbn. Olga Shurchkov of the ITF America Foundation received 18 votes.
Master Young brings extensive experience in finance and governance, including previous service on the ITF Audit, Risk & Compliance Committee and experience as a national high-performance director and international umpire. Her term will be for only one year unitl the next regular elections for the ITF Board of Directors.
Strengthening Official Equipment Standards
A presentation by ITF Vice President Master Philip Lear introduced the ITF Official Equipment Label. The initiative responds to the growing presence of counterfeit Taekwon-Do equipment and aims to protect the ITF brand, approved suppliers and practitioners while ensuring that official equipment meets the Federation’s technical and safety requirements.
Implementation is planned to begin on 1 January 2027, with a transition period for suppliers and competitors. At international ITF events, official labelled doboks and protective equipment will subsequently be required, with equipment checks forming part of event procedures. National Federations will also be expected to address implementation at national level.
The presentation was followed by a discussion with Congress delegates, who raised questions concerning implementation, existing equipment, costs, the contractual framework and practical arrangements for national Federations. The discussion demonstrated the active core of a Congress within the entire ITF community. More information on the ITF Labels and possibly communication with ITF Member Organisations on this matter will follow soon.
Governance and Participation
Governance and representation also formed part of the Congress discussions. For instance, a proposal from Romania sought to introduce individual elections for the Federation’s senior leadership positions, allowing candidates to stand and be elected separately rather than as part of a leadership group. The proposal was presented as a means of broadening the pool in both, quantity and also experience of the candidates and allowing delegates to assess individuals independently. The proposal, as two other proposals for amendments of the ITF Statutes, were passed with large majority voties.
Investing in the Future of Taekwon-Do
The Congress also heard a contribution from GM Jong-Chan Kim, a founding member of the ITF 60 years ago. He spoke about the importance of long-term dedication, personal commitment and collective responsibility in developing Taekwon-Do. His message emphasised perseverance, generosity, cooperation and the importance of reinvesting resources into the development of the art and its community.
Looking Ahead
The ITF Congress 2026 demonstrated the breadth of responsibilities involved in developing a global martial arts organisation. From membership and governance to equipment standards, international events and community development, the discussions reflected the many areas in which Member Associations contribute to the Federation’s future.
With the ITF World Cup 2026 taking place immediately following the Congress in Benidorm, the meeting also marked an important moment of transition from organisational discussion to the practical celebration of Taekwon-Do on the international stage.
The Congress closed with appreciation for the participation of the Member Associations and organisers, and with a continued focus on cooperation, development and the future of ITF Taekwon-Do worldwide. And the ITF invited all delegates to a social gathering at the phenomenal congress venue in the warm Spanish night.
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