The exhibition stand of the World Taekwondo Federation has attracted high interest from participants in the 2010 SportAccord Convention in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The WTF exhibition stand, which opened on April 27 for a three-day run at the Atlantis Hotel in Dubai, featured a “WTF Kick and Win Challenge” event for the SportAccord participants. For the event, the WTF set up an electronic protector system and those who hit and/or kick the system won a WTF souvenir, drawing special attention from SportAccord exhibition visitors. The WTF also distributed a promotional brochure to the visitors.

To ensure fair judging and refereeing, the WTF has introduced an electronic body protector system and an instant video replay system at its major taekwondo competitions since June 2009.

A number of high-profile international sports figures visited the WTF stand to test the electronic protector system. Among them were WTF President Chungwon Choue; two of WTF Vice Presidents, Mr. Phil Coles of Australia, and Mr. Ivan Dibos of Peru, who are also members of the International Olympic Committee; and Mr. Dae-ki Kim, vice minister of the Korean Culture, Sports and Tourism Ministry.

As part of its active promotional efforts, the WTF, which hosted the 2006 SportAccord in Seoul, Korea, has since run its exhibition stand at almost all SportAccord conventions.

During the Dubai SportAccord Convention, which opened on April 25 and lasted until April 30, the WTF had a series of meetings with international sports organizations, including the 2012 London Olympic Organizing Committee, and attended meetings, including the general annual meeting of the International Masters Games Association. [By WTF/NBC-1TV H. J Yook]