Master Fernando Abaga, a six-time Taekwondo black belts holder, has opened a new Taekwondo training club on Senegambia highway to promote the martial arts sport in the country.

The club will be runned by two of his black belts young holders.

“These young people have everything they need to do proper training,” he said, adding that “the club is very essential in increasing the number of practitioners in the country.”

 “This means the chances of going into the international competition and win is higher. So, it is essential to establish Taekwondo schools in the country.

“As I am getting older there is a need for me to train the younger ones to ensure continuity and sustainability of the industry in the country,” he added.

He urged the instructors to be professional and be patient in their endeavors.

Meanwhile, Baba Sarr, president of The Gambia Taekwondo Masters Association,  described the school as a boost to the taekwondo industry and urged the instructors to work harder and familiarise themselves with the new techniques and changes of taekwondo.

“Nowadays, if you want to compete internationally you try to update yourself and you need to be training with people who understand the new techniques and rules of the taekwondo because it keeps changing.

“Taekwondo is important in given people the mental, technical, physical and spiritual fitness, it enables people to have discipline and self-respect. It also gives one good health,” he said.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba