TheWTF General Assembly, the highest decision-making body of the world'staekwondo governing body, has voted to overwhelmingly approve theproposed amendments to the WTF Rules and Regulations and the WTFCompetition Rules.
TheWTF Council convened in Ankara, Turkey on December 15, 2008, on theoccasion of the 2009 WTF World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships, toapprove the proposed amendments.
On December 24, the WTF sentletters to its 188 member national associations and WTF Councilmembers, asking for their votes by email or post by no later thanJanuary 31, 2009.
"In accordance with Article 20 andArticle 8.12 of the WTF Rules and Regulations, I, as President of theWorld Taekwondo Federation, hereby announce that the proposedamendments to the WTF Rules and Regulations and the WTF CompetitionRules, have been duly passed with an overwhelming majority," WTFPresident Chungwon Choue said.
WTF President Choue continuedto say: "I am pleased with the outcome and I am positive thatthe new rules will serve us well in the years to come."
Outof 114 ballots cast for the proposed amendments to the WTF Rules andRegulations, 91 voted for the amendments, six voted against theamendments, four abstained. The remaining 13 votes were invalid, asmost of them passed the January 31 submission deadline.
Forthe proposed amendments to the WTF Competition Rules, 87 voted forthe amendments out of 114, and seven were against the amendments,while eight abstained. Twelve ballots were invalid as most of thempassed the submission deadline.
Among the approved amendmentsto the WTF Rules and Regulations were the WTF's designation of theWorld Taekwondo Academy in Korea as its international academic centerfor studies, education and research of taekwondo, and the change ofthe name of the WTF Education Committee to the WTF Education,Training and Development Committee.
Among the newly approvedWTF Competition Rules, which will be effective starting as early asin June 2009, were the shortening of the competition area from thepresent 10 meters by 10 meters to 8 meters by 8 meters; theintroduction of a differentiation of valid points (one point for avalid punch or kick to the trunk protector, two points for a validturning kick to the body, and three points for a valid kick to thehead); the introduction of an instant video replay system; theabolition of the win by a 7-point gap and the win by a 12-pointceiling; and the awarding of an additional point to the opposingcontestant for two kyonggos and a gamjeom.
In a joint meetingof the presidents and secretaries general of the WTF's fiveContinental Unions at the WTF headquarters in Seoul, Korea onFebruary 3-6, 2009, the participants were briefed on the results ofthe WTF General Assembly e-votes.
The WTF Continental Unionleaders also discussed the implementation dates of the new WTFCompetition Rules and the grading of Continental taekwondochampionships for the newly implemented WTF athlete ranking system.
Among the participants were Gen. Ahmed Fouly, President ofthe African Taekwondo Union (AFTU); Mr. Hossam Morsi, SecretaryGeneral of the AFTU; Mr. Dai Soon Lee, President of the AsianTaekwondo Union (ATU); Mr. Kyu Seok Lee, Secretary General of theATU; Mr. Athanasios Pragalos, President of the European TaekwondoUnion (ETU); Mr. Gerrit Eissink, Secretary General of the ETU; Mr. JiHo Choi, President of the Pan American Taekwondo Union (PATU); Mr.Roberto Beltran Ramonetti, Secretary General of the PATU; Mr. PhillipWalter Coles, President of the Oceania Taekwondo Union (OTU); and Mr.John Kotsifas, Secretary General of the OTU.
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