BY VUYISWA MABILA
MBABANE – The Eswatini Taekwondo Federation (ETF) has received a generous donation of equipment and gear from the World Taekwondo and the Korean Embassy.
The handover ceremony was held on Friday 25th of July 2025 at the Eswatini Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (EOCGA) offices in Lobamba, where athletes and federation officials gathered to receive the much-needed items. The donation, which includes equipment worth USD 10 000 (approximately E185 000) from World Taekwondo and USD 5 500 (approximately E101 750) from the Korean Embassy, included kicking pads, T-shirts, and Foundation promotion uniforms, all aimed at enhancing the training and development of local taekwondo athletes.
ETF General Secretary Sizwe Mabuza expressed profound gratitude to both the World Taekwondo and the Korean Embassy for their continuous support of the sport in Eswatini.
“This donation will go a long way in helping us prepare our athletes for both national and international competitions,” Mabuza said. “This is because we did not have these things and when competing international they face difficulties hence now they will get used to training equipment that matches the international standards. We are deeply thankful to our global partners who continue to invest in the growth of taekwondo in Eswatini. The equipment will strengthen our training efforts and motivate the athletes,” added Mabuza.
Athletes in attendance welcomed the donation with enthusiasm, describing it as a morale booster and a sign of the growing recognition of the sport in the kingdom. Many noted that having access to quality training equipment will contribute positively to their performance.
The support from the World Taekwondo highlights the long-standing cultural and sporting ties between Eswatini and World Taekwondo. Taekwondo, a Korean martial art, has been growing steadily in popularity across Eswatini, thanks to such collaborations and developmental programmes.
The ETF reiterated its commitment to using the resources responsibly and ensuring that all athletes, including those in rural training centers, benefit from the donation. This latest donation serves as a testament to the ETF’s efforts in nurturing talent and promoting discipline through martial arts, as well as the importance of international cooperation in advancing sports development in Eswatini.
(Courtesy Pics)
