Taekwondo plans big with 2015 in mind

 By KYMLIE KARANI

IN gearing up for the 2015 Pacific Games, the Papua New Guinea Taekwondo Federation has big plans this year.

Federation president, Simon Kama said yesterday during a training session at the Don Bosco Technical Institute at Taurama they would be hosting a national training camp on Friday.

The camp will coincide with a competition that will feature all 40 train-on squad athletes.

The training camp has attracted more than 40 athletes from all over the country, including Bougainville, East New Britain, Morobe, Western Highlands, NCD, New Ireland, Western and Central.

“Our main aim for this training camp is to identify the level of skills, talents, strengths and weaknesses. 

“It will be a good opportunity to observe the club trainers and instructors,” Kama said.

He said the event was sponsored by the Papua New Guinea Sports Federation & Olympic Committee through its Go for Gold (G4G)programme to provide up-to-date training and knowledge of the sport to athletes.

Taekwondo’s London Olympian Theresa Tona will feature in the one-day training camp and competition on Friday. 

She is expected to set the pace for upcoming fighters who will be competing for a spot in the final squad preparing for the Mini-Pacific Games in Wallis & Futuna in September.

The final side will then attend a lead-up tournament between Australia and PNG, which will be held in June at the Australian Institute of Sports.

The  Korean Ambassador’s Cup is set for Saturday at the Don Bosco Technological Institute Hall (Taurama) and 11 taekwondo academy clubs will be battling for the cup.

PNG Taekwondo development officer Edward Kassman said it was open to other martial arts club. 

The club registration fee is K150.