Ghana Taekwondo Federation’s (GTF) Media Representative on the Organising Committee Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey says the 16th Korean Ambassador’s Cup Taekwondo Championship will serve as a major platform for Ghana’s next generation of Taekwondo talents to showcase their abilities, gain competitive experience and take another step towards the future of the sport.
The championship will be held at the Borteyman Sports Complex in Accra, with athletes from different parts of the country expected to compete in the one-day event.
Speaking to The Vault News Network, Clottey said the Federation has deliberately placed young athletes at the centre of this year’s championship because of the need to build a strong foundation for the future of Ghanaian Taekwondo.
“When you develop the youth, you have a future,” he stated, explaining the thinking behind the Federation’s decision to make youth development a major priority at this year’s event.
The media rep described the Korean Ambassador’s Cup as one of the competitions the Federation “cherishes so much,” noting that its annual nature makes it an important opportunity to monitor the development and progression of athletes. “This is very significant when it comes to development of Taekwondo in the country,” Clottey said.
The 2026 edition will focus on cadets and juniors, with the Federation reducing the competition from two days to one day to maintain greater attention on athletes under 17.
The competition will feature Kyorugi and Poomsae, providing the young athletes with opportunities to demonstrate both their competitive and technical abilities.
Over 120 Young Athletes to Showcase Their Talents
More than 120 athletes have registered for the championship, with participants expected from clubs and regional associations across the country according to the Federation’s PRO.
The cadet category will cater for athletes aged 10 to 14, while juniors will comprise competitors between 15 and 17 years. The Kyorugi competition will have five weight categories for each age group.
Clottey expects the championship to produce intense competition, particularly because some of the young athletes have not had enough opportunities to compete in official tournaments in recent times.
He explained that although the athletes continue to train and spar with colleagues, those sessions cannot replicate the demands of a competitive championship. “This is the real time for them to prove their worth,” Nii Attuquaye Clottey told the Vault News.
He believes the prospect of winning medals and securing bragging rights will further motivate the athletes to give their best at the Borteyman Sports Complex on Saturday.
GTF Ready For One-Day Championship
The Ghana Taekwondo Federation says preparations for the competition have been ongoing for approximately three to four months, with the necessary technical and organisational arrangements now in place.
Clottey confirmed that the electronic scoring system and other technical requirements have been prepared ahead of the championship.
“Everything is in place,” he said, urging athletes, parents and supporters to make their way to the Borteyman Sports Complex.
The championship will also recognise outstanding performers, with awards planned for the best male and female athletes in both Kyorugi and Poomsae.
A trophy will also be presented to the best regional association based on performances in Poomsae.
Korean Embassy Partnership Boosting Development
The annual championship is being held in partnership with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Ghana, a collaboration the GTF considers important to the development and promotion of Taekwondo in the country.
Clottey explained that the Korean Ambassador’s Cup is part of a wider tradition through which Korean embassies support Taekwondo competitions in countries around the world.
He noted that the Embassy’s support extends beyond the championship, having previously provided Ghanaian athletes with uniforms and protective equipment.
The partnership has also opened doors for international exposure. The media rep at the Ghana Taekwondo Federation recalled that Ghanaian female taekwondo athlete Henrietta Naa Ayele Armah travelled to Korea close to seven years ago and won gold at the Korean Ambassador’s Cup.
Selected athletes can also receive sponsorship to travel to Korea and compete against athletes from other countries, providing an important pathway for Ghanaian talents to gain international experience.
Fans Invited as Federation Opens Doors for Public
The Federation has announced free admission for spectators, encouraging parents, families and Taekwondo enthusiasts to attend and support the young competitors.
Clottey believes greater public interest could help expose more people to the benefits of Taekwondo, particularly among children and young people.
He highlighted discipline, self-control, improved motor skills, balance and self-defence as some of the benefits associated with Taekwondo training.
For the GTF, Saturday’s championship represents more than an opportunity to win medals. It is a chance to identify emerging talents, assess their development and provide them with the competitive experience required to progress.
With over 120 athletes expected at the Borteyman Sports Complex on August 29, the 16th Korean Ambassador’s Cup is poised to give Ghana’s young Taekwondo athletes a significant stage to announce themselves.
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