Mr. Ben Nunoo, President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) has applauded the World Kickboxing and Karate Do Union (WKU) President, Klaus Nonnemacher for his historic visit to Ghana and seeing to the successful organization of the 2023 African Open Tournament which involved five combat sporting disciplines.
The disciplines are Taekwondo, Judo, Karate Do, Kickboxing and MMA.
He said creating opportunities for the youth is very essential in the socio economic development of a nation and the African Open Tournament should be an avenue to produce champions and world class athletes.
The GOC President who privately trains in Taekwondo was elated that all the national champions of the disciplines took part in the event, like Edmund Amoako representing Karate Do, Evelyn Dzato, the African Champion Judoka, Henrietta Armah, the Taekwondo star as well as Jonathan Lamptey, the MMA Champion and others.
He assured of the support of the GOC in the next Tournament which Ghana will host.
Klaus Nonnemacher said he was very impressed with the amazing organisation and classic display put up by the athletes.
He expressed that some the best athletes would be invited to the next World Championship in Canada.
The GOC President appealed to world sports governing bodies to unite and work together.
Leading the WKUworld President was Master Steavano Kojo Tuekpe, the Ghana representative and ICBO World Kickboxing -91kg Champion and his German wife, Alexandria who were very instrumental in staging the 2023 African Open Tournament at the Korean Sports Complex at Tema.
According to Tuekpe, the Tournament was highly successful and promised to do it bigger next year, after the Olympic Games.
He hinted that they are considering rewarding the best athletes with cash prizes in addition to the equipment, and appealed to corporate Ghana to join in investing in the future stars and leaders.
The WKUworld and Ghana Presidents called on the GOC President on Thursday July 20.
By Sammy Heywood Okine
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