Belgium's suspension from the WTF will be lifted soon, it is hoped, after athletes from the nation were forced to compete under the WTF flag at the recent World Championships in Chelyabinsk ©WTF

Belgium’s suspension from the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) will be lifted within the next two months, the body’s President Chungwon Choue has told insidethegames.

The Belgian National Taekwondo Union was suspended by the WTF in January due to an internal dispute with a rival governing body, which followed a similar suspension from the European Taekwondo Union for a "gross violation of statutes" last year.

This forced athletes from the European nation to compete independently under the WTF flag at the World Championships in Chelyabinsk earlier this month, with under 63 kilograms competitor Jaouad Achab winning gold to follow a silver for Si Mohamed Ketbi at under 58kg.

Despite being draped in the Belgian flag, Achab's victory was accompanied by the WTF flag and anthem rather than his national one.

Jaouad Achab (second left) was wrapped in the Belgium despite winning under 63kg gold as an independent athlete at last week's World Championships ©WTF
Jaouad Achab (second left) was wrapped in the Belgium flag despite winning under 63kg gold as an independent athlete at last week's World Championships ©WTF

Choue also revealed how meetings had taken place to discuss other  National Federations - from Sweden, Malaysia and Afghanistan - which have not been suspended but have still experienced problems within their respective structures.

He is confident all will be resolved soon,

"We also had meetings about all the teams, and this has all been nearly solved," Choue said.

"I think within two months everything will be settled, we had a meeting with our special Ad-Hoc Committee.

"It is complicated and will take some time because of required changes in their statutes, but it will take time.

Choue also expressed his delighted about the presence of Kosovo in Chelyabinsk, following the Balkan Republic's acceptance as a full WTF member during the General Assembly which preceded the event.

Athletes from the newest WTF member nation should now receive support to improve their performances over coming months, it is hoped.

The official also admitted his disappointment that Nepal were ultimately not able to attend following the devastating earthquake which struck late last month, killing around 7,500 people and injuring up to 15,000.

Athletes from Nepal had been invited to attend the World Championships free of charge in a gesture of solidarity before a late decision was made not to attend, but it is hoped the country will return to the international stage again soon.



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February 2015: Exclusive: Afghanistan National Olympic Committee President hits back at criticism from taekwondo medallist
November 2014: European Taekwondo Union suspends Belgium for "gross violation" of statutes