WT Head Urges Creation of Sport Peace Corps

At a high-profile seminar in Turkmenistan, Choue urged other sports to follow Taekwondo’s lead and dispatch missions to developing nations

World Taekwondo (WT) President Chungwon Choue called for the support of the IOC, the U.N. and International Federations to help make a “Sport Peace Corps” a reality during a speech at the 2015 Turkmenistan International Sports Media Forum (TISMF) on April 3, 2015.

Speaking just three days ahead of the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, President Choue outlined his vision for the Sport Peace Corps and its potential to promote peace and development around the world.

The Sport Peace Corps would comprise coaches, athletes and educators who would be dispatched to assigned communities to provide sports equipment, training and education. Through the Sport Peace Corps, young people would gain a greater understanding of different cultures and nations and learn to live healthier lifestyles. These values are closely aligned with those of the IOC and the U.N. and WT has begun discussions with the two global organizations about supporting the initiative.

Speaking after his presentation, WT President Choue said:

“Since I took over as president of WT in 2004, I have strongly believed in the principle that sport should act as a vehicle to promote friendship, respect, and peace. As an Olympic sport, we have been committed to working with the IOC to promote the Olympic values throughout the world.

“Sport can bring hope and inspire people from the most deprived countries and communities. As we have seen under the IOC’s leadership, we as a movement are stronger when we are united and humbly call on the IOC, the U.N. and all International Federations to unite behind the Sport Peace Corps. Together, we can inspire hope and create a better and more harmonious future.”

WT is looking to build on the success of the WT Taekwondo Peace Corps which was first launched in 2008 to instil self-awareness and discipline in young people.

WT President Meets with U.N. Secretary General for Discussions on Creating Sport Peace Corps

World Taekwondo (WT) President Chungwon

Choue was invited by U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to the U.N. headquarters in New York on April 6, 2015 to celebrate the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace.

President Choue joined IOC President Thomas Bach and a number of high-level delegates, including IPC President Sir Phillip Craven and IOC member Angela Ruggiero in New York as they discussed the increasingly important role sport has in bringing about positive change around the world. During an event called “United Action Towards Sustainable Development For All Through Sport,” Bach called for sport to be included in U.N. Sustainable Development Goals. Choue attended a private meeting with U.N.

Secretary General Ban after the event to discuss the Sport Peace Corps concept and how it could help contribute to building a fairer, more equal and peaceful society.

Speaking after the meeting, Choue said:

“I am very grateful to U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon for giving up some of his valuable time to meet with me today. We had a very productive meeting and we are all in agreement that sport has a unique power to create a more peaceful future.”

“It is my hope that soon, with the support of the U.N., the IOC and all the International Federations, we will be able to launch the Sport Peace Corps to harness this immense power and bring hope and harmony to some of the world’s most deprived countries and communities,” he added.