Participants travelled to Belgium for the two-day coaching workshop ©ITF

The International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) has staged a two-day course with the aim of providing specialised training to coaches who wish to coach Para athletes.

The course was conducted by Leo Oros Duek, chairman of the ITF Inclusion Committee and President of the All Europe Taekwon-do Federation (AETF), and AETF chairman John McIlvaney.

Instructors from host country Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, Scotland, Romania, Germany, and Israel took part in Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve.

The course consisted of a combination of theory and practical sessions with tailored classes to cater for athletes with Down syndrome, autism, blindness, and deafness.

The second day started with case studies and group discussions about Down syndrome and autism conducted by Oros Duek.

The course taught coaches how to train athletes with a variety of disabilities ©ITF
The course taught coaches how to train athletes with a variety of disabilities ©ITF

It showcased real life scenarios faced by instructors when teaching practitioners with special needs. 

"The IAC [course] successfully provided instructors with: (i) the necessary knowledge and skills to teach practitioners with special needs, and (ii) a platform to exchange ideas and best practices regarding teaching methodologies and techniques," read an ITF statement.

"The presence of esteemed Grand Masters and Masters further enhanced the learning experience for participants.

"With no doubt, this course played a significant role in promoting inclusion and accessibility by empowering instructors and practitioners to cater to a diverse range of taekwon-Do practitioners."

Participants were also treated to a walking tour of the city before a banquet in the centre.