Miscellaneous

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.

Report by Agustina Correa, VI°degree, Federacion Misionera de Taekwon-Do

Master Virginia Dionisi, AETF Vice-President, was invited by the AIT (Academia Internacional de Taekwon-Do) of Misiones, led by Senior Master Carlos Méndez VIII Degree, to conduct a Master Class and participate in different activities.

On Saturday 5^th March, the annual instructors meeting took place in Posadas, where more than 90 black belts from all over the province participated. Master Virginia shared her work experience on the development of Taekwon-Do in Europe, highlighting in this event the large number of women instructors present.

On Sunday 6^th March Master Dionisi conducted a Class in support of two local institutions (the children’s home Sagrado Corazón, and the Fatima parish which carries out community work ). The Class was a celebration of Taekwon-Do, with a focus on the inclusion of practitioners in the broad sense of the concept. Children, juniors, adults, seniors, and practitioners with special capabilities from all grades were present. More than 80 participants from all over the province of different ages and categories enjoyed this special day. It was a success, despite the weather conditions that forced the organisers to change the venue at the last minute.

On Thursday 10^thMarch the Honourable City Council of Posadas, through its representative Facundo López Sartori, declared of municipal interest the Class and the visit of Master Dionisi, who was honoured and received an award at the end of the institution’s session.

There were some vacant places in committees ITF-Belgium. This was announced on the GA of January, meanwhile some of those positions have been taken.

We are glad to announce that since now, the PR Committee is existing of 2 members, Tabitha Van Lierde and Juan Martinez. There are also some changes in the coaching team, with Nicolas Taylor becoming the head coach.

Vacant positions: coach special techniques and (assistant)-coach tul, teamtul, pre-arranged sparring.

During the European Championships in Spain, November 2021, at the annual Congress Meeting, elections (4 yearly) for the AETF Board and the Revisory Committee were being held. Master Virginia Dionisi was elected as vice-president, GrandMaster Frank Vanberghen was re-elected as chairperson of the Revisory Committee.

The newly elected AETF Board held its board meeting in Poland, January 15th. During this meeting the members of existing and new established AETF committees were elected. GrandMaster Frank Vanberghen was re-elected as chairperson of the AETF Revisory Committee, Master Annick Van Driessche was elected as chairperson of the AETF Women Committee and Benito Martinez was elected as member of the Inclusion Committee.

With this, members of ITF-Belgium are involved in both the Board ITF as AETF and committees of both federations.