Sack coach Kassman, Stone says

 MASTER Jamuga Stone is calling on Taekwando Papua New Guinea  to reassess where the sport is going.

Stone, pictured, said the performance of the PNG taekwondo team at the recently completed Mini Pacific Games in Wallis and Futuna was far below  expectations.

He  said the only team members who really stood out were Theresa Tona, Maximilian Kassman and Reina Peni. 

“If Team PNG is to do well and win medals in the 2015 Pacific Games, the taekwondo team must be overhauled and new fighters brought into a train-on squad,” he said.

He said the women’s squad must all be replaced with the exception of Tona. 

“About 16 gold medals were on offer in taekwondo at the Mini Games and PNG managed only one by Tona, which is not good enough for a national team,” Stone said.

“The coaching staff headed by Edward Kassman must be scrutinised and changes made for the good of the PNG national team.”

 Stone said Kassman was given eight years to work on the national team but the performance indicators were not looking too good.

“It is not about Kassman, rather it’s the position of the national coach. From the results in the past eight years his performance is poor so he should resign for the betterment of taekwondo, as we want the best results in the 2015 Pacific Games in PNG.”

 He said it was evident the taekwondo team to the 2011 Pacific Games in New Caledonia was the most unprepared team and subsequently performed badly, winning only minor medals.

“This information was released by the senior team management. The coaching staff would have worked on those problems for the past three years but failed miserably,” he said.

“Taekwondo is a potential medals contributor to Team PNG for the 2015 Pacific Games and so it must seriously look at its national team, coaching staff and team management. 

“Enough of one sided-selections and favouritism and one club domination.”