South Korean Taekwondo team touches down in city

Neville Motlhabakwe|Published 2 years ago

The Real Deal: The South Korean Taekwondo Federation team members pictured at Kimberley airport shortly after landing in the Diamond City. Picture: Danie van der Lith

The Northern Cape Sports Confederation rolled out the red carpet for the South Korean Taekwondo team of about thirty members who landed at Kimberley airport on Monday evening ahead of their two-day Kukiwon demonstration at the Mittah Seperepere convention centre.

The team will host a demonstration of their Kukkiwon fighting style at the Convention centre in Kimberley on Tuesday, September 13 and again on Thursday, September 15.

The full South Korean Taekwondo delegation, headed by the country’s ambassador to South Africa as well as the South Korean Taekwondo CEO including the team manager and several chaperones, with about 20 athletes in tow, landed at about 5pm in Kimberley.

Members of the South African and South Korean Taekwondo federations seen at the Kimberley airport. Picture: Danie van der Lith

The Sports Confederation team consisted of its chief Farrel Moses, Tich Markham and David Kok as well as members of the Kimberley and Johannesburg South African Taekwondo Federation (SATF) including its national secretary Johana Sokaliya.

A suitably clad team of youngsters mostly from Pescodia in Kimberley were also on hand to welcome the South Korean visitors to the Northern Cape. The local Taekwondo team of about 12 members stood patiently waiting in the public areas for the visitors from Asia.

Members of the local Taekwondo federation waiting to welcome the South Korean delegation at the Kimberley airport. Picture: Danie van der Lith

The South Koreans are here to afford Kimberlites and the sports’ followers all over the province a demonstration of their Kukkiwon fighting style at the Mittah Seperepere Convention centre on Tuesday afternoon and again on Thursday September 15.

Members of the Taekwondo federations of South Africa and South Korea together at the Kimberley airport. Picture: Danie van der Lith

The demonstration is part of the federation’s national programme which is aimed at popularising the sport among the youth and mature athletes alike.

SATF secretary Johanna Sakoliya had in an earlier interview confirmed the federation’s plans for the Northern Cape and stressed that the Kimberley event was a demonstration which was intended to unlock public interest.

Markham said they have prepared a welcoming dinner for the South Korean visitors at the Flamingo Casino.

The event at the convention centre is scheduled to start at 2pm on both days, with the scheduling timed to accommodate school-going children.