PROVINCIAL Taekwondo Member Associations (MAs) threaten to boycott the current Solomon Games Taekwondo competition if their demands are not met, it was revealed.
President of the World Taekwondo Solomon Islands (WTSI) Philip Afu told Star Sports Auki that a letter representing all MAs was submitted to the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) yesterday with their demands.
The letter which was signed by the Presidents of four MAs was submitted to the Chairman of the 2023 Solomon Games yesterday for consideration.
Signing the petition are; Guadalcanal Taekwondo Association President Adrian Tukali, Isabel Taekwondo Association President Watson Hevalao, Honiara Taekwondo Association President John Alick, and Central Province Taekwondo Association President John Soro.
According to WTSI President Mr.Afu, if LOC does not comply with their demand, they will boycott the Taekwondo tournament which will possibly make it impossible to host Taekwondo competition for the Solomon Games.
The letter with the title, “Complain: our member associations (MAs) that represent their provinces at this coming Solomon Games.”
The latter stated, “We the following MA’s of Taekwondo sports competition to be held this Wednesday 29th, 2023, do hereby make these resolutions for the LOC to consider.”
“If the LOC does not agree, we will boycott and our athletes will not compete.”
The following demand are put forward for LOC to look at and make its decision
- Mr.Nelson Ramoi (SDO or NF National Referee) to cease from involving in the games.
- We do not agree on the 4 Olympics weights agreed by the NF/LOC for Taekwondo sports because it’s unsafe for our competitors. We only agree on the 8 weight category
- We agree with five (5) MA’s/provinces eligibility to compete at the games. If only four (4) MA’s/provinces registered, we don’t agree to compete. Refer to Solomon Games charter
- We the Provincial MA’s are not affiliated nor recognized by the current NF (SIWTU). This group is not recognized by the Provincial MA’s. Their president and officials are very selfish, biased and unqualified for these games.
“We only recognize the previous one, the World Taekwondo Solomon Islands (WTSI) which is capable, experienced and non-biased to conduct the games.
“We only agreed with them to organize and run the games.
“We hereby give you 24hours to respond,” President Afu said.
Star Sports understands that Taekwondo currently has two bodies in the country, one is the original one WTSI headed by President Philip Afu and the other is Solomon Islands World Taekwondo Union (SIWTU), a newly formed body headed by President Derrick Afu.
By WILSON SAENI in Auki
