Ghana Para-Taekwondo team returned from Kigali on Wednesday, 5th of April, 2017 with a bronze medal after its participation in the 2nd African Para-Taekwondo Open Championship.
The team was led by the Chairman of the Para-Taekwondo Committee of the Ghana Taekwondo Federation, Mr. Lawrence Osei Boateng.
Others included Coach Adom Mensah Latse, with male athletes Stephen Kwasi Sansah and Azumah Salih Mohammed. Kubura Awudu, who is the only female athlete, however grabbed the bronze medal for team Ghana.
The championship, which was the 2nd in Africa and hosted in Rwanda for April 1 and 2, saw the likes of Spain, Rwanda Morocco and other African countries take part.
According to Mr. Osei-Boateng, the team put up their utmost but lack of experience prevented them from wining more laurels.
He was however, positive that the team has the potential to do better in the future.
“Against many odds such as short residential training and lack of per diem, the athletes were determined to win their matches.”
Prior to the tournament, Team Ghana had issues with sponsorship as the chairman of the Para-Taekwondo Committee had to leave Ghana late. There were other challenges such as money for per diem and food.
This bronze medal becomes Ghana’s second in international championship after Sharon Akwei won bronze in Russia 2014.
The Ghana Taekwondo Federation is looking forward to sending the team to another international championship this year as it continues to aim at the Paralympics games in Tokyo 2020.
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