Taekwondo brings a wider range of choice for combat sports fanatics |27 June 2012

The newly launched Seychelles Taekwondo Association (STA), an affiliate of the International Taekwondo Federation is the responsible body to oversee and promote the sport locally.

Headed by Master Jossy Canaya, former head of the now dissolved Seychelles Tang Soo Do, the newly introduced art regroup mostly all former members of the former school, alongside some new enthusiasts who are up for the challenge.

The official launch of Taekwondo and the introduction of the STA took place last Friday at the Plaisance community centre, in the presence of the Seychelles Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (Socga) president Antonio Gopal, Socga’ secretary general Alain Alcindor, the National Sports Council (NSC) representative Robert Auguste – also the association’s liaison officer – parents and members.

Addressing the guests, Master Canaya said the main aim of the STA is to catch up with its Indian Ocean region counterparts who have been practicing the art long before.

He thanked all those who helped in one way or another to help to set up the association and to introduce the sports locally.

He equally thanked the Mauritius Taekwondo Association for training the local instructors.
Master Canaya also reminded the members that they need to train hard, as the sport offers many prospects and is also very rewarding.

He also urged them to maintain a high level of discipline and to apply the association’s motto – ‘I pa fasil, me i pa enposib’.

Before unveiling the association’s logo, Mr Gopal expressed Socga’s pleasure to welcome a new sporting association among its members.

He added that Seychellois athletes have a good reputation in combat sports and as Taekwondo is an Olympic sport, it provides another chance for our athletes to succeed internationally.

He advised them to take the opportunity and to train hard with the aim of reaching a higher level.

With over 125 registered members so far, the STA has set up four local clubs – Grand Anse Mahe, headed by Danny Emanuel; Roche Caïman, headed by Jean-Paul Philo; Anse Boileau, headed Chabel Servina and La Misère (for Black Belts only), headed by Master Canaya.

As for the STA executive committee, Master Canaya is the president on a four-year mandate, while Dan Simara is the second in command. Yvette Antat is the executive secretary, while Richard Didon is the treasurer.

The ordinary members are Danny Emanuel, Ralph Micock, Chabel Servina and Jean-Paul Philo.
Already in the progressive mood, the STA is sending three of its members for a pre-Olympic youth training camp in Seoul, South Korea in mid-July. They are Jean-Pierre Bristol, Lyn Freminot and Danny Emanuel.

The STA is also welcoming three South Korean instructors next month as part of its strategies to have the maximum number of trained instructors so that the sport can be spread round the country.
Anyone interested in starting Taekwondo, can simply contact any executive member for information, or can report straight to the training venues.

 
Some of the exhibition bouts at the launch

The Anse Boileau club operates on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 5pm to 6.30pm, while the Grand Anse Mahe and Roche Caïman clubs operate on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays from 5pm to 6.30pm.

Taekwondo is one of the most systematic and scientific Korean traditional martial arts that teaches more than physical fighting skills. It is a discipline that shows ways of enhancing our spirit and life through training our body and mind. Today, it has become a global sport that has gained an international reputation, and stands among the official games in the Olympics.