(Jun. 20, 2024) - World Taekwondo has marked this year’s World Refugee Day by reaffirming its commitment to empowering refugees and displaced people through sport.
World Refugee Day is organised annually by the United Nations to honour those who have been forced to flee conflicts and persecution around the globe, and help advocate for their rights.
Through the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF), World Taekwondo uses the power of sport to help improve refugees’ quality of life, develop their skills, teach them the Olympic values and allow them to pursue their dreams.
The THF develops Taekwondo grassroots projects for refugees and is established in seven countries. It has been recognised as a pioneer in humanitarian activities within sport and the Olympic Movement.
This led to the THF being awarded the International Olympic Committee’s prestigious Olympic Cup in November 2023, the highest distinction for an organisation with a proven record of promoting the ideals of the Olympic Movement. This recognised the THF’s long-term commitment to supporting refugees around the world through Taekwondo.
The THF is committed to building on the success of the 2nd Hope and Dreams Sports Festival, which took place in Jordan from May 1-3.
Through the inclusion of Taekwondo, Baseball5, Badminton and Basketball activities across the three days, the Hope and Dreams Sports Festival showcased the THF’s collaboration with International Federations to promote health and wellbeing among refugees.
The Festival engaged more than 600 children at the Azraq, Za’atari and Souf Refugee Camps and the Hope and Dreams Taekwondo Championships in Amman featured more than 300 participants.
World Taekwondo President and THF Founder and Chairman Dr. Chungwon Choue underlined the importance of empowering refugees through Taekwondo.
“At the last Olympic Refuge Foundation Board meeting in April, I heard that the global population of refugees and displaced persons could reach 130 million by the end of this year. It is a shocking and sad figure,” Dr. Choue said
“At the 2nd Hope and Dreams Sport Festival in Jordan, we saw the passion and determination of the children and youths who fought hard for every point. This showed us how valuable every moment in life is.
“Working in collaboration with our partners, World Taekwondo and the THF are will continue to play our part in supporting refugees and displaced people through sport.”
World Taekwondo is also a long-term supporter of the IOC Refugee Olympic Team. Three athletes represented the Refugee Olympic Team at Tokyo 2020, and this has increased to five at Paris 2024, making Taekwondo the third most represented sport on the team.
