Taekwondo team in Kla for Uganda Open

A 20-man national Taekwondo team left for Kampala last night to take part in this weekend’s annual Uganda Taekwondo Open.

Friday, December 13, 2013
Local Taekwondo players exhibit their skills during the East African tournament at Amahoro stadium early this year. Looking on is Martin Koonce. The New Times/ Courtesy

A 20-man national Taekwondo team left for Kampala last night to take part in this weekend’s annual Uganda Taekwondo Open.The Rwanda team which is under the tutelage of technical director Martin Koonce is made up of 16 players and the technical team.Three girls and three boys will compete in both junior categories at the annual event that has attracted several participants from the East African region including the host country and Kenya.In the senior category, three women and six men will be vying for glory on foreign soil.Speaking to Times Sport last night, Koonce said, "We are looking forward to compete in the tournament. This is going to be a good platform to prepare athletes for Mt Gorilla Open due in January.”It will be the first time that an electronic timing system will be used outside Rwanda in the East African region and three technicians including Koonce are part of the technicians who will train the hosts on how to operate the device.The Rwandan outfit which has been undergoing intense training for over a month with the national championships having concluded over a week ago, is eyeing a medal or two at the two-day competition.Rwanda team: Savio Nizeyimana, Placide Bagabo, Mushambokazi Zura, Martin Nduwayezu, Regis Iyunva, Consolee Birori, Olivier Biraro, Delphine Uwababyeyi, Claryse Uwayo, Sonia Tuyishimire, Benon Kayitare, Emmanuel Twagiramungu, Laissa Umurerwa, Ramadhan Nsengiyumva, Vincent Munyakazi, and Emmanuel Kwibuka.