Monrovia, Liberia – The Liberia Taekwondo Federation’s President has vowed to prohibit any official, Master, or Grand Master from engaging in martial arts in Liberia if they have ever engaged in sexual harassment, violence against women, or rape, among other offenses.
According to Master Junior Pewee Russian, the World Taekwondo Federation has policies in place to sternly punish those who engage in such behavior and is vehemently opposed to such viewpoints.
The President of the Liberia Taekwondo Federation made the statement on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, in Paynesville, at the second day of a seven-day virtual coach training program.
The Liberia Taekwondo Federation and Goal Team Liberia collaborate to provide the instruction.
The goal of the program is to familiarize Liberian coaches with the current state of the sport.
The Liberia national Taekwondo team did not perform well at the recently 2023 All African Games in Ghana because the game was not accepted as it is currently understood.
The World Taekwondo Federation, in collaboration with Goal Team Liberia, hosts a week-long training for coaches to inform them of their shortcomings after the competition.
But Master Russian claimed that there were rumors, even before he assumed control, that one of their masters had sexually assaulted a woman. In light of this, he wanted to set up a team to look into the matter and find out the truth.
“I want to be clear that anyone involved in any of these acts, whether a senior or a beginner, will have themselves to blame. This warning is not just for coaches, masters, or grand masters. This is not intended to witch-hunt anybody, but to bring decency to the federation as it has been mandated by our parent body.”
Master Junior Pewee Russian stated that efforts are underway to completely overhaul the federation, with coach training being one of the numerous initiatives to put the country on par with other nations.
He admitted that if the coaches can start giving the athletes the greatest instruction, the national team will quickly start achieving the desired outcomes.
“Though there are still other levels to cover, but by the completion of the exercises, our coaches will have been transformed to begin passing acknowledge to others. Getting a complete wining national team requires time and adequate preparation.”
Sam Dennis, the national team coach who oversaw the squad in Ghana for the 2023 All African Games, gave World Taekwondo Federation and Goal Team Liberia credit for the workshop.
Coach Dennis stated that the audience may be certain that the squad would no longer be pardoned for subpar performances, based on what he learned during the workshop.
“Today, my colleagues and I learnt a great deal about the realities of the sport. In the best interests of the game, it is our duty as coaches to transfer the credit to others.”
Reported by: Sylvester Tamba
Contact: +231776687195
