PATU President Jiho Choi and APC President  Jose Luis Campo penned the agreement at the Argentina Taekwondo Open in Buenos Aires this week and there are now high hopes for the development of the sport.

Both organisations will now encourage greater co-operation between their National Associations and National Olympic Committees for the promotion of para-taekwondo in each country.

The APC's recommendations and standards for inclusion in the Parapan American Games will also be followed by PATU.

“We are delighted to have signed this agreement with the APC," said Choi.

"Our two organisations share a common interest in the development and promotion of para-taekwondo as a sport for athletes of all impairments in the Pan American region.

"We are committed to learning from the APC and under their guidance we hope in the future to become a member of the APC and bring para-taekwondo to the Parapan American Games."

Participation in para-taekwondo has increased in the Pan-American region in recent years and the sport will join the Paralympic programme at Tokyo 2020.

The Pan America Para-Takewondo Championships have been held on three occasions and the sport will be a demonstration event at the INAS Global Games to be held in Quito, Ecuador, this month.

Campo said: "Para-taekwondo has developed considerably in recent years and this was demonstrated by the IPC’s decision to include the sport in the Paralympic Games sports programme.

"Para-taekwondo provides people of all impairments with the opportunity to engage in sport and we will work with our NPCs to encourage them to spread greater awareness of the sport in their countries.

"Under our new partnership, we will also work with PATU to assist in the promotion of the Pan American Para-Taekwondo Championships.

"We welcome para-taekwondo’s interest in taking part in the Parapan American Games.”




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