ITF-Belgium Inclusion Committee

Report by Benito Martinez

The ITF-Belgium Inclusion Committee was created in March 2022. It is made up of Sabum Benito Martinez as chairman, Boosabum Alice Vrinat and Melanie Mahy as members, and Master Eddy Van Damme and Boosabum Sophie Ardenoy as external consultants. The committee had the approval of the federation board. The people involved in this project have, in one way or another, professional or personal experiences of contact or work with people with special needs and expressed enthusiasm and interest in the inclusion program and adapted Taekwon-Do.

The tasks of the Inclusion Committee are: 1)To create possibilities for athletes with physical or intellectual special needs to fully take part in trainings, seminars, competitions and all other activities of our federation as a tool of personal and social development together with all other participants; 2) Be updated with all scientific information and studies relative to the different issues and have regular education by participating specialized seminars and courses organized by ITF and AETF; 3)Follow very closely all the politics, methods and programs issued by the ITF and AETF Inclusion Committees, and do the best to develop them at the national level.

On June 19, Sabum Benito Martinez, who is also member of the European Inclusion Committee, introduced the Taekwon-Do adapted program to the participants of the National Instructors Course, celebrated in Lokeren, headed by Grand Master Frank Vanbergen, and Master Annick Van Driessche. At the course, the participants were informed of the steps given by the committee and the future projects; questions and comments followed.

Three members of ITF-Belgium, Master Virginia Dionisi, Sabum Andreea Musca and Sabum Esther Meulemeester participated in the recent course on Adapted Taekwon-Do in the context of the IIC in Cluj Napoca, Romania, presented by Master Leo Oros Duek. Master Annick Van Driessche and Master Eddy Van Damme participated during the IIC in Ireland earlier this year, while some members followed the online courses in 2021. For the return to activities after the summer, the committee will prepare an internal plan to identify the characteristics and needs of our athletes likely to be included in the program and we must work on the development of the first concrete actions to carry out our objectives.