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Title [ICM's Pick] Participants' Voice / Ghana Taekwondo Masters for the 3rd Martial Arts Open School

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  • Date
    08-10-2019
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"I wish for them to become important people who can positively impact those around you by remembering the ‘confidence’ they had felt after overcoming limitations, the ‘joy’ that follows from hard work, and ‘skills of cooperation’ in achieving something all together, and not by oneself."

- Master LEE Suyong

 

"It doesn’t matter if the students do not want to become Taekwondo practitioners. I only hope that whenever they face a challenge in life, I hope they remember this class, and the class encourages them to overcome the hardship."

- Master CHOI Wonjong

 

 

Martial Arts Open School aims to contribute in youth physical and psychological development by providing regular martial arts classes to youth and women. According to the request of paticipating countries, ICM either dispatches or hires martial arts masters. The project prioritizes countries where physical education is not prevalent. The below writings are from Masters who were dispatched from Korea th Ghana, to teach a total of 100 students at Accra Girls Senior High School(aged 17-19) and Association International School(aged 10-14). View photos from the Ghana Martial Arts Open School here, and a short clip made by the masters here.

 


Sowing Seeds of Martial Arts in Ghana, a Barren Land of Martial Arts

- Master LEE Suyong 

During Summer vacation I participated in the 3rd Martial Arts Open School as Taekwondo Master. I was dispatched to Ghana, Africa. The students in Ghana have never learnt Taekwondo before, so I wanted them to enjoy practicing Taekwondo while learning to cooperate with each other, rather than focusing too much of the skills. During a two month period, sometimes I had to be strict with the students, and sometimes I faced challenges. But on the last day of the project, when I saw them holding certificates of completion, wearing yellow belts, I felt as if they all looked like sun-flowers in full bloom.
Students who used to be rude, and lacked concentration had now learnt to greet people in a polite manner, and to care for others. The students tried hard to remember and fix things I had pointed out during class. These students made me realize that Taekwondo serves as an important bridge that helps build students’ character. A two-month period may have been too short for them, but still I hope this experience has become a good memory in life, and has motivated them to pursue a good direction in life.  I wish for them to become important people who can positively impact those around you by remembering the ‘confidence’ they had felt after overcoming limitations, the ‘joy’ that follows from hard work, and ‘skills of cooperation’ in achieving something all together, and not by oneself. Finally, I would like to thank ICM  for giving me this precious opportunity, and I hope the seeds of martial arts will spread further throughout the world.


Never Fear, Nothing is Impossible, “We can do it!”

- Master CHOI Wonjong

As part of the 3rd Martial Arts Open School, I was sent to Ghana, Africa as a Taekwondo Master. Our slogan for the Taekwondo classes in Ghana was, “We can do it.” At first, students were doubtful with fear and thought it would be impossible for them to practice Taekwondo. But with trust in their Masters under the slogan “We can do it”, they were able to successfully complete the demonstration and evaluation performances in front of all their teachers, friends, and parents.

It was not an easy journey. Sometimes, we had to conduct classes in a heavy atmosphere, and some movements took a lot of patience or were physically demanding. However, the students had endured all the process and received yellow Taekwondo belts and certificates of completion. I could tell how proud the students were just by looking at their faces. Master LEE Su yong and I taught students how to build both confidence and patience through Taekwondo.
It doesn’t matter if the students do not want to become Taekwondo practitioners. I only hope that whenever they face a challenge in life, I hope they remember this class, and the class encourages them to overcome the hardship. I want to tell my students once again that I am so proud of them for overcoming their fears and unfamiliarity to achieve these brilliant results.