Rwanda Taekwondo Federation (RTF) in partnership with Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) is constructing a taekwondo training center in Muhanga district, a facility aimed at promoting the game across the country, according to officials.

The first of its kind in Rwanda, the new National Taekwondo Training Centre, whose construction started four months ago, is excepted to be completed early next month, RTF secretary general, Placide Bagabo said.

The taekwondo facility, which contains a training hall, also has office rooms, dressing rooms and indoor bath rooms among others.

"We are glad to announce that the facility will start operating in a few weeks’ time, it will ease popularizing of the sport outside Kigali. It will also serve as a residential training center for national teams,” former Rwanda international Bagabo told Times Sport.

He noted that the gymnasium will particularly facilitate the Southern Province zone, especially Muhanga residents in taking up taekwondo.

One of the youngest sports in Rwanda, Taekwondo was officially introduced and recognized in Rwanda in 2011 and has eversince shown tremendous growth to rank first in the East African region, sixth on the continent and among top 40 in WTF World rankings.

In the meantime, the national team comprising of four players namely; Regis Iyumva, Frederick Mwemezi, Zura Mushambokazi and Aline Ndacyayisenga has started intensive training at Amahoro stadium ahead of Tournoi International de Paris set for November 14-15 in Paris, France.

From Paris, the team coached by Allan Irene Bagire, will straight away head to North Africa for the Morocco Open set for November 28-29.

The two international competitions will help the team in preparations for Olympic Games qualifiers scheduled for February 4-6, 2016 also in Morocco.

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