A grand opening ceremony was held on the morning of 24 April, with World Taekwondo President Choue Chung-won setting the tone for the event with an inspiring speech. The vice Mayor of Santorini warmly welcomed all participants and emphasised the city's support for the camp, the aim of which was to provide a team-building exercise for the top 30 international referees selected for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games and to improve their skills.

A series of lectures were given, starting with Chakir Chelbat, Paris 2024 Paralympic Games Technical Delegate, on the role of Technical Delegates, Competition Supervisory Boards (CSBs) and International Technical Officials (ITOs) for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. 

Mohammed Argoubi, Paralympic Games Technical Controller, provided a comprehensive overview of the Para Taekwondo Competition Rules, while Usman Dildar, Paralympic Games Technical Controller, highlighted the International Referee Code of Conduct. The day concluded with Thomas Bosser, WT IT Director, presenting a session on the use of technology and instant video replay in refereeing.

The camp also featured a variety of activities, from in-depth lectures to hands-on workshops and physical training, which provided the referees with additional invaluable skills and insights.

Usman Dildar, Para Taekwondo Committee Chairman, hailed the training camp as setting a new benchmark for future training events, particularly in the development of Para Taekwondo worldwide. 

"The rigorous selection process for the top 30 referees involved meticulous scrutiny of  thousands of referees around the world. Only 15 male and 15 female referees emerged, demonstrating exceptional skill and dedication," said Dildar.

"This collaborative effort promises a brighter future for the sport and fosters international cooperation and friendship. I thank all the partners, sponsors and participants for their unwavering commitment to the success of this landmark event. Together, we are raising the standards of taekwondo worldwide, paving the way for inclusivity and excellence."

Acknowledging the support of the local authorities and the European Taekwondo Union for the success of the event, Chelbat added: "We had an amazing four days of training, guiding and preparing referees for the upcoming Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. The camp helped to create a bond of friendship and cooperation between the referees who will officiate together in Paris. The camp was a great success."

Oceania's only international referee, Australia's Ali Rahimi, is among the 30 referees selected to officiate at the Paralympics. For Rahimi, who fled Afghanistan over a decade ago and helped evacuate eight refugees from his birthplace following the Taliban's return to power in 2021, being part of the team was a dream come true. 

"Finally, my hard work and dedication paid off, as I was selected as a Paralympic referee, which has been my lifelong dream," said Rahimi . "The Paralympic training camp has been an incredible learning experience. I'm grateful for every moment I spent improving my skills and preparing for the Paralympic Games in Paris, and now I'm very confident that I'm well prepared to officiate there," he added.