Taekwondo classes in Honduras are looking to expand
- 5 years ago
태권도 진흥재단, 중남미 태권도 진흥 및 보급에 앞장서다
In February this year,… Honduras became the first Latin American country to add taekwondo to its public elementary school curriculum.
The project is now looking to become an exemplary model for other countries as well.
Won Jung-hwan reports.
Taekwondo hopefuls at this level test in Honduras smash wooden blocks and perform a self-defense martial art display in front of officials at Jose Maria Casco Elementary School in the Honduran capital.
The taekwondo masters praise their efforts,... and as a reward, the young students receive yellow belts,... to show they are ready to move to the next level.
These students are among the 1-thousand-8-hundred beneficiaries of the regular taekwondo classes,... which have taken place once or twice each week since February at some 15 elementary schools in Honduras.
The taekwondo education at the Honduran public schools is mandatory,... and is taught to let the students know that taekwondo is more than just a sport.
"Taekwondo is a martial art and is one of the Olympic sports. We do not teach martial arts to teach how to fight,… we value the mental discipline."
Four months since launching in Honduras,... the Taekwondo Promotion Foundation is already looking to expand into other schools or even to other Latin American countries. But more support is needed.
"Unfortunately now, there is still shortage of taekwondo masters to expand the taekwondo curriculum further within the country,… but some day we hope the martial art can expand further."
It will take time, but if the efforts in Honduras can have a positive effect on the country,... there is no doubt that more countries in Latin America will follow in its footsteps.
Won Jung-hwan, Arirang News.
In February this year,… Honduras became the first Latin American country to add taekwondo to its public elementary school curriculum.
The project is now looking to become an exemplary model for other countries as well.
Won Jung-hwan reports.
Taekwondo hopefuls at this level test in Honduras smash wooden blocks and perform a self-defense martial art display in front of officials at Jose Maria Casco Elementary School in the Honduran capital.
The taekwondo masters praise their efforts,... and as a reward, the young students receive yellow belts,... to show they are ready to move to the next level.
These students are among the 1-thousand-8-hundred beneficiaries of the regular taekwondo classes,... which have taken place once or twice each week since February at some 15 elementary schools in Honduras.
The taekwondo education at the Honduran public schools is mandatory,... and is taught to let the students know that taekwondo is more than just a sport.
"Taekwondo is a martial art and is one of the Olympic sports. We do not teach martial arts to teach how to fight,… we value the mental discipline."
Four months since launching in Honduras,... the Taekwondo Promotion Foundation is already looking to expand into other schools or even to other Latin American countries. But more support is needed.
"Unfortunately now, there is still shortage of taekwondo masters to expand the taekwondo curriculum further within the country,… but some day we hope the martial art can expand further."
It will take time, but if the efforts in Honduras can have a positive effect on the country,... there is no doubt that more countries in Latin America will follow in its footsteps.
Won Jung-hwan, Arirang News.