Black belt Basil is patron of Taekwondo PNG

BULOLO MP and Planning Minister is the new patron of Taekwondo PNG.
Taekwondo PNG announced this yesterday in the presence of  Basil, a former PNG Taekwondo representative who won a bronze medal at the 1995 Pacific Games.
 He holds a 2nd Dan Black Belt in the sport.
Basil in accepting his patronage announced the dates to kickstart Taekwondo PNG’s 2015 Pacific Games and 2016 Olympic Game preparations.
“It’s been a while since I was part of the sport.
“I returned from the Pacific Games in 1995 to prepare for the world championships in the Philippines, but my work took over and I could not go on.
“Taekwondo played a big part in my life and where I have gone on and I accept this patronage,” Basil said.
“I look forward to working closely with the organisation and assisting with sourcing avenues where the sport here in the country can work in partnership with the international community especially in our strive to be competitive”.
The patron told those present at the PNG Sports Federation boardroom that the medal prospects for the sport, being an individual sport, were good and that it gave the individual the opportunity to build self-confidence and self-control, having to be up on the stage by himself or herself.
He said that he had made contact with the Korean Embassy, the country from which the art originated, to work together for the advancement of the sport.
Taekwondo president Ower Ila thanked Basil, as they launched the poster for the May 26-27 Pacific Games selection trials.
Special guest at the event will be Theresa Tona, the only Olympic bound athlete for the sport.