RIYADH : Al-Shabab taekwondo club emerged champion in the clubs category at the 25th Saudi Taekwondo Open Championship at the Green Hall of General Authority of Sports (GAS) at the Olympic Complex here.
Organized by the Saudi Taekwondo Federation (STF) and sponsored by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to promote sports and cultural ties
between the two countries in line with Vision 2030, the two-day tournament attracted 15 clubs from all over the Kingdom.
Taibah Olympic Center was adjudged the ideal team in this national championship, while Al-Hilal, Al-Salam, Al-Taraji, Hira and Al-Jubail
clubs also took home awards in the event.
Young player Abdullah Al-Qaud was adjudged as the best player in individual category.
Youngjae Kim, minister-counselor and spokesman of the Korean embassy told Arab News: "Al-Qaud also qualified for the invitation from South
Korea to represent Saudi Arabia in the world championship to be held in Seoul."
"Since he has emerged winner at the national championship in the competition held or sponsored by the Korean Embassy, he will now
represent the Kingdom at the 2017 world championship among national winners of the embassy-sponsored competition to be held in November
this year in Seoul and will be hosted by Kukkiwon World Taekwondo Headquarters," he added.
South Korean Ambassador Pyung-oh Kwon attended the closing ceremony. He congratulated the STF for the excellent organization of the championship and applauded the players for their outstanding skills.
Kwon said development of taekwondo in Saudi Arabia will contribute in achieving many objectives including dissemination of
sound sports spirit, develop and operate innovative world-class leisure and entertainment activity in a manner consistent with the
Saudi tradition and religious belief, and help further upgrade the already-excellent Saudi-Korea bilateral relationship.
The STF was represented at the final by Chairman Brigadier-General Shaddad Tala Al-Amri, Vice President Abu Bakr Abdullatif Kurdi, Board
Member Mohammad Al-Lubran, and Managing Director Mishal Al-Mutairi.
A Korean expatriate at the final events said it is wonderful to see the players execute such dynamic moves after fasting during the day time and participate in the event during the night.
"It is indeed a special experience to enjoy night time activities during holy Ramadan," he added.
Al-Shabab champion in Saudi Taekwondo Open Championship
Al-Shabab champion in Saudi Taekwondo Open Championship
