Caribbean Leaders Prepare to Form Regional Taekwon-Do Federation. ITF

Caribbean leaders have taken the first step towards formalising the ITF's Caribbean Taekwon-Do Federation (CTF) in accordance with extensive international guidelines. The new federation will be an offshoot of the current Canadian-based federation and will be based on Central American culture.

For over a decade, the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) has had a dedicated team working to develop Taekwon-Do in Africa, and a few years ago another team was established towork towards the same goal in Asia.

Using this as a model, and drawing on the experience of the work of the ITF and its regional leaders in these continents, Caribbean leaders aim to replicate the successes achieved in these regions of the world.

With the intention of developing Taekwon-Do more robustly, the Caribbean leaders came together to form a regional federation, the Caribbean Taekwon-Do Federation (CTF).

Currently, the ITF has a regional federation in Central and North America, established in 2006 and based in Canada, which covers North America and the Caribbean. 

However, recognising the diversity not only of culture and language but also of geography and economics, among other factors, local leaders and national presidents, with the support of the ITF Executive Board, have been analysing and working towards an autonomous union in North America since 2019. 

Caribbean leaders have taken the first step towards formalising the ITF's Caribbean Taekwon-Do Federation (CTF). ITF
Caribbean leaders have taken the first step towards formalising the ITF's Caribbean Taekwon-Do Federation (CTF). ITF

Nevertheless, relations and cooperation will continue, at least in terms of organising high-level events and mutual learning.

Taking advantage of the large turnout at the International Instructors Course in Jamaica, leaders from Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Barbados, Anguilla, in communication with the absent Puerto Rico, Suriname and Sint Maarten, held an important meeting on 22 August to discuss the formation and future governance of the Caribbean Taekwon-Do Federation (CTF).

The meeting also saw the appointment of regional representatives to the Caribbean Development Team and the ITF Business and Marketing Committee.

The leaders set out a work plan to achieve initial common goals, including legal registration, host country, definition of the federation's name, governance structure, financial management, communication policy, support between countries and requirements and procedures for membership.

As a sign of the commitment made, the calendar of events for 2025 has already been set, including ITF Official Courses and a number of regional championships aimed at improving athletes' performance.