By Barrie Alpha

The President of Sierra Leone Taekwondo Association Oness Johnson has said 2023 was a great year for his association because it was a successful year and that he envisage more success in 2024.

Highlighting success made in 2023, Johnson said they were able to win bronze medals in the Australia open and the Africa.

During the World Championship, they were able to reach to the quarterfinal stage and for that reason they were able to be ranked in the world for the first time.

The Taekwondo president said they camped 70 kids in Lungi which the North-West was very good for the association as it was part of the association’s programme of catching them young and during the training camp, they have experts both local and international that took the kids through the camping.

He also revealed that last year, they went to the region to make sure that they expand the sport in other part of the country.

Johnson also expressed his commitment to develop Taekwondo in Africa following his appointment as the interim Regional Representative for 19 Commonwealth African countries by the Commonwealth Taekwondo Union (CTU). Johnson outlined his vision, stating that he aims to promote Taekwondo across the African continent.

 He plans to collaborate with national Taekwondo associations in Africa to boost the sport’s popularity and increase participation. He also intends to organise coaching and refereeing courses to enhance the overall quality of Taekwondo in Africa.

But, their challenges, he said, was funding and   this year 2024, the focus is to qualify for the Paris Olympic this year, a reason for competing in Senegal next month.

 Three foreign athletes are prepared for the competition that is why they have been to Canada for camping, and their next place is Mexico for another set of camping ahead of the competition.