Massive boost for Dar Police academy taekwondo training

Dar se salaam  Police Academy (DPA)’s martial arts training has received tremendous boost after the institution entered into an agreement with the  Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to establish a state-of-the-art taekwondo dojan.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between DPA and KOICA for the project was signed at the former’s premises in Dar es Salaam last weekend, with the Korean agency expected to dish out USD 165,000.

The project, expected to be completed in 2015, is the initiative of the late Master OH Jongse, a taekwondo master from Korea who was dispatched to DPA by KOICA under the latter's World Friends Korea volunteer program to serve as a taekwondo instructor.

Master OH Jongse, unfortunately, passed away from malaria before finalising the implementation of the project.

“KOICA decided to implement the project in memory of their volunteer and to strengthen their relationship with the DPA,” Kim Seungbeom, the resident representative of KOICA Tanzania, said.

Taekwondo is one of the most effective forms of martial arts in the world. It improves strength, fitness and flexibility.

One of late Master OH’s students said he and the rest of the trainees have found Taekwondo stretching tough, but the results are great.

DPA commandant, SACP Ally Lugendo, said the project will help to increase the number of trainees who will receive taekwondo training at the institution and the dojan will serve as a space for additional martial arts training for the police.

A Tanzania police headquarters' official said the construction of Master OH Jongse Memorial Centre is among efforts to bolster the existing cooperation and cultural relationship between Korea and Tanzania.

“The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Tanzania Police Force will make sure that the standards and objectives of the construction are met,”the official said.

“Tanzania Police Force, through its Construction Unit, will supervise and cooperate with KOICA and DPA and other stakeholders to ensure the sustainability of the project.”