MUSCAT, NOV 7
The fifth Korean Ambassador's Cup Taekwondo Championship concluded at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Muscat on Saturday.
The closing ceremony was held under the auspices of Mohammed bin Salim al Harthi, Member of the State Council and former Ambassador of Oman to South Korea.
The event was attended by H.E. Lee Jung-IL, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Oman, and Dr Talal al Bulushi, Chairman of the Oman Taekwondo Committee.
The championship brought together around 200 athletes representing 20 local clubs, with age categories ranging from juniors under 14 to veteran competitors over 35.
The championship is an annual sporting event organised by South Korean embassies in cooperation with local taekwondo federations in various countries, aiming to promote Korean culture and strengthen diplomatic ties through sport.
H.E. Lee Jung-IL, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Sultanate of Oman, praised the development of taekwondo in Oman and highlighted its role in strengthening friendship between the two countries during the fifth Korean Ambassador's Cup Championship.
“The championship reflects the close cooperation between the Korean Embassy and the Oman Taekwondo Committee,” H.E. Lee Jung-IL said.
“Taekwondo originated in Korea, but its values of respect, discipline and courage are universal,” he added.
H.E. Lee Jung-IL also highlighted the contribution of Korean instructors serving with the Royal Oman Police, saying their efforts alongside Omani coaches had helped develop the sport in the Sultanate.
On bilateral relations, he pointed out that sports and cultural exchanges had strengthened friendship and mutual respect between Oman and Korea over more than five decades of diplomatic relations.
“The Omani team’s 14-medal achievement at the Qatar International Open last October brought great pride to the nation,” the South Korean ambassador said.
He concluded by expressing confidence in the continued growth of taekwondo in Oman and wishing its athletes further success.
MAWAHIB BARKA ACADEMY SHINE
Ahmed bin Said al Hasni, owner of Mawahib Barka Taekwondo Academy, praised his team's performance at the fifth Korean Ambassador's Cup Taekwondo Championship, highlighting the academy's medal haul and the high standard of organisation.
“We participated with 11 athletes over the first and second days of the championship, and nine of them won medals: four gold, four silver and one bronze,” Ahmed said.
Al Hasni added that “the academy's girls' team reached the final and competed in the presence of the patron and the Korean Ambassador, but finished with the silver medal after losing the final.”
“This edition was the best I have attended in terms of organisation, competition standards, attendance, public turnout and media coverage,” he noted.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
