The Upper East Regional Minister, Hon. Akamugri Donatus Atanga, has pledged support to the Upper East Regional Taekwondo Association following the team’s impressive eight-medal haul at the 2026 Korea Ambassador’s Cup Championship.
The medals, won at the competition in August, comprised one gold, one silver and six bronze.
The association presented the medals to the Minister at the Regional Coordinating Council, where he assured the athletes and officials of support towards their development.
Hon. Akamugri said sports should not be viewed merely as entertainment but as a vehicle for youth development, employment and sustainable livelihoods.
He directed the Regional Coordinating Director, Mr Bless Kwame Darkey, to engage the association and address its immediate equipment needs.
The association has requested about GH¢25,000 worth of training equipment, a request the Minister said the RCC would explore ways to support.
He also disclosed that a technical team from Accra would visit the region in the first week of October to inspect the site for the proposed regional sports complex.
According to him, the visit would help determine how different sporting disciplines could be incorporated into the facility.
He therefore urged the taekwondo association to engage the technical team and identify the facilities it requires so they could be considered in the development plans.
The Minister further assured the association that the RCC would intervene if problems arose over its current training facility while preparations continued for the new sports complex.
Assistant Coach of the association, Jesse Apalazoya, said the team had continued to put the Upper East Region on the sporting map despite inadequate support.
He said the association was struggling with a shortage of training equipment and the absence of a permanent training facility, with its current training centre not belonging to the association.
Coach Apalazoya appealed for support to provide the athletes with better training conditions and help sustain their performances at national and international competitions.
The association subsequently handed over the eight medals to the Regional Minister.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
