GTF Pres Lartey Otu joins WT Dev’t C’ttee

World Taekwondo has appointed Ghana Taekwondo Federation (GTF) President, Mr. Frederick Lartey Otu a member of its Development Committee.

World Taekwondo is the governing body of taekwondo globally with 213 nations affiliated to it.

Mr Otu, a Senior Customs Officer of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), therefore, becomes the only Ghanaian taekwondo official to have attained this feat in Ghana.

He emerged one of the favourite candidates appointed to the board after a stringent review and assessment of over 480 other candidates.

Dr. Chungwon Choue, President of World Taekwondo in an appointment letter he signed commended Mr Otu whose contribution and dedication to the sport made him a favourite among the nominations.

“The aim of World Taekwondo over the coming years is to strengthen our status as an Olympic and Paralympic sport including the virtual environment, be recognised for our impeccable governance and sustainability, and continue our devotion to helping refugees and displaced persons through Taekwondo.”

“I believe that you will be a valuable asset to World Taekwondo and devote yourself to the cause,” the letter said.
Mr Otu became a certified International Taekwondo Referee after passing the prescribed test and has since rose through the ranks to become a 1st Class International Referee.

He attended the 39th International Taekwondo Referee Seminar in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1999 and participated in the 11th Foreigner’s Taekwondo Instructor Training Course organised by the World Taekwondo Academy, Kukkiwon in South Korea In 2005, to become a certified Taekwondo Instructor.

Following that was his election as a Council Member of the African Taekwondo Union in 2017 in Muju, South Korea and was re-elected in 2021.

That same year, the GTF President was appointed Chairman of the Development Committee of the African Taekwondo Union (AFTU) by the President of the African Taekwondo Union, Mr. Ide Issaka.

Mr Otu, who doubles as the 2nd Vice President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) was also appointed a member of the World Taekwondo Commonwealth Management Board on May 16, 2022 by Dr. Chungwon Choue.

He also received a Certificate of Appreciation for his dedicated service and outstanding contribution for the development of taekwondo at the 40th anniversary celebration of World Taekwondo on May 28, 2013.

Until his latest appointment, Mr Otu was a World Taekwondo Technical Delegate.

Among his responsibilities as Technical Delegate include checking the overall preparations made by an Organising Committee before a competition and ensure everything has been arranged in strict conformity with the WT competition rules; decide method for drawing of lots and the ration of random weigh-in and to approve the results of draw and weigh-in.

BY SPECTATOR SPORTS REPORTER