The Ghana Taekwondo Federation staged a development project for young women in Aburi ©GTF

The Ghana Taekwondo Federation (GTF) has begun a youth development project at Aburi Girls Senior High School, aimed at increasing interest in the combat sport with an eye on the post-COVID-19 era.

The event took place in the town of Aburi and was funded by the African Taekwondo Union (AFTU).

More than 100 female participants took part.

GTF general secretary Adnan Odartey Lamptey held a theoretical session on the theme "Taekwondo for Physical and Mental Discipline". 

Maxwell Theodore Alornyo, together with a demonstration team, handled the practical sessions.

GTF President and AFTU Development Committee chairman Frederick Lartey Otu called for participants to continue practising the sport.

"You are fortunate to be the first school to benefit from the programme in Ghana and I can see that most of you want to continue," said the GTF leader.

"Female athletes like you have been doing tremendously and I have no doubt that you can take over and do better and be the best in your region and Ghana. 

"We are beginning to encourage young ones like you to practice the sport.

"It has been the mission of the African Taekwondo Union President, Mr Ide Issaka to develop and promote youth in taekwondo and that is why this project has come to light. 

"That is a good mission and I can see it's impact already here."

Three participants, Allor Murijana Wekia, Precious Niminye and Nancy Nhyirabea Mante, who passed a theoretical and practical test, were presented with uniforms as prizes.

The GTF education team is to visit two other schools to wrap up the programme this week.

National Federations from Senegal, Madagascar, South Africa, Gabon, Mauritania and Ethiopia have also won AFTU grants for development projects.