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  • WTF Initiatives Demonstrate Federation’s Forward-thinking
Press Releases

WTF Initiatives Demonstrate Federation’s Forward-thinking

Taekwondo - 24 Sep 2009
   
24 September, 2009

New rankings system designed to enhance taekwondo’s media and spectator appeal

• Champions’ League will bolster television revenue
• Monthly rankings enhance athletes’ prestige
• Invitations to proposed President Cup Invitational Tournament based on rankings

Two major initiatives launched by the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) – the World Athlete Ranking System and the Champions’ League – demonstrate the innovative thinking within the sport as it prepares for next month’s historic 2009 WTF World Taekwondo Championships.

The ranking system, which was launched in June, 2009, helps the WTF to project its top performers by means of a monthly announcement outlining the current status of leading athletes.

The intention is to raise the media image of high-profile taekwondo athletes and boost taekwondo’s global status as a major television sport, which will enhance marketing opportunities and generate revenue. The WTF’s rankings system will provide comprehensive statistical detail and is the basis for seeding a quarter of athletes in WTF-promoted tournaments.

Explaining the necessity for global rankings, WTF President Chungwon Choue, who has driven the innovative measures as part of his reform program, said: “The ranking system will stimulate interest both of the media and audience in the sport. It is also expected to further motivate athletes to actively participate in more of the tournaments. Therefore, it will facilitate changing taekwondo into becoming more media friendly and increasing its exposure on TV.”

Adding further value to the WTF’s program is the vision of a professional World Taekwondo Tour. This was initially planned to be held in Mexico in May 2009, but, regrettably, had to be postponed because of the serious swine flu outbreak in that country.

Regarded as a pilot project for a regular tour, the professional competition has been a major project for President Choue since taking office in 2004. The first competition is scheduled to take place in the middle of November 2009, in Mexico following an improvement in conditions.

After Mexico won two gold medals at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, interest in taekwondo increased by more than 50 percent in that country and the WTF wants to encourage further growth by staging the inaugural professional event there.

A further incentive emanating from the rankings will be an annual competition provisionally known as the President Cup Invitational Tournament. The top eight athletes in each weight
category will be invited to the prestigious event. The World Taekwondo Championships will take place from 14-18 October in Copenhangen, Denmark.

For further information/images, please contact:
Jean-Marie Ayer
WTF Office
Maison du Sport International
Avenue de Rhodanie 54
CH-1007 Lausanne
Switzerland
Tel: +41 21 601 50 13
Mobile: +41 79 222 93 18
Fax: +41 21 601 59 83
Email: wtf-lausanne@bluewin.ch
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