Jerzy Jedut, Zbigniew Bujak, Tadeusz Ĺoboda, Wim Bos, Lazaros Tsilfidis.
On 13th June 2004 (Sunday) after official inauguration of AETF Headquarter have been held ceremonial press conference in a Headquarter of AETF. On the press conference took part beside the journalists Master Willem Jacob Bos, former President of All Europe Taekwon-Do Federation, member of Tournament and Umpire Committee of International Taekwon-Do Federation, and also Tresurery of ITF, VIII Dan, Mr. Lazos Tsilfidis, President of All Europe Taekwon-Do Association, Mr. Jerzy Jedut , AETF Secretary General, members of Board of Directors of Polish Taekwon-Do Association,Taekwon-do students and practitioners and others.
Whats the main aim of your visit in Poland?
Master Wim Bos: to conduct the seminar on Polish Taekwon-Do Association, to promote some people for black belts and to take part in a official inauguration of AETF Headquarter.
How many members are affiliated in AETF and what part of ITF constitute All Europe Taekwon-Do Federation?
Master Wim Bos: On the last European Championships we had 25 countries, but we have more, because not everybody could come, for several reasons. But under leadership of Mr. Loboda we will increase very fast the number of the member countries especially for eastern countries. I believe that Mr. Loboda make it very fast, because already Russia became a member thanks to Mr. Loboda. Very positive step have been already made. Actually AETF affiliate 96 countries including 34 countries, which are affiliated in AETF.
Next question concerns exam for black belt degrees. What is the level of polish competitors?
Master Wim Bos: Advantage is that people know, how they should prepare to come for grading. And that's why we have strict procedures and we'll pass only those people they are really good enough. Of course the promotion is not made by myself, there is grading Commission. Its opinion is asked for. So for example if some people were good but not good enough, I'll ask their opinion as a Committee what shall we do. It should always be done in a democratically way.
Next question concerns the transmission of the AETF headquarters to Poland?
Master Wim Bos: During AETF meeting held in Tampere, some weeks ago, Mr. Loboda was elected for President of AETF by all the countries, that means that everybody has faith in his leadership. We are looking in a bright future. But I'll be always there to look and help. If my experience will be needed I'll be always there to give a help.
Next question concerns main goals of ITF. What is the main aim of ITF?
Master Wim Bos: Main goal is to be a democratically organization. And to grow in that way. Work with a rules, which are known for everybody. Working in a truly rules which are known for everybody we can officiate in a nice and democratically way. Of course we have a leader, we have a President. It's not like in the past that President had decisive word and it was like a low. We have a board it consist of 12 persons. And everybody has one vote. It means democratically procedures. It is benefit for everybody.
Mr. Tsilfidis, what is your opinion about the present situation?
Lazos Tsilfidis: I think the only way is democratic way. And to only way is to have a Board of Directors. Not only one person decide. Board of Directors guarantee the democracy. Even when somebody of this board will not be in the future, but organization will be alive. So I think there is greatest future before our organization.
Tadeusz Loboda: We have to also plan to cooperate with Russia very closely in the future, because we are neighbors, we have very similar sport structure and experience from the past.
Lazos Tsilfidis: For Russia it is great pleasure that President of All Europe Taekwon-do-do Federation is Polish, because Poland is near to Russia and it's very easy to get experience form Poland. It is not needed to go somewhere far away. Also the system is very similar. When I say something to Mr. Tadeusz Loboda it s not needed to me to say the second word he understand it immediately, because we have the same Sport Committee, Olympic Committee, the same foundations, the same system.
Is there a chance that very splitted organization will cooperate in the future?
I will be my personal opinion, because I cannot talk on other people. It will be difficult to work with other groups, when other groups or persons do not like us and we don't like them.
In Mr. Chang Ung's group or Master Choi's group, in those groups are people who left us, speaking bad about us, writing bad about us. So there is no positive elements. So it's very difficult. We can invite Master Choi to World Championships, we could, I think so but I would not invite those people, who wrote bad about me or other persons. I will not sit at the same table any more, but a leader, who is a correct leader and didn't wrote anything bad about one of our Board members. I don't see any problem to sit at the same table. But to join to other organization, it would be very, very difficult.
I think it's not important, because we are the only ITF which has a democratically Board. Master Choi is a leader in the other group and with all respect; he is also a friend of mine. But in the group of Mr. Chang Ung he is only a leader. I can say personally that I chose this group because in this group is only in this moment good and nice people. In fact there would be good if there was more organizations and people could go and leave that the good one stayed.
Maybe it s not nice but it's true. The same situation is in a familiar life in the gym where ever you'll go. If you have a big group of people in your gym and there are 2 people who talk bad about everybody they are bad to the atmosphere in this group. Only with a rules you can officiate. Not a degree.
What's your next plan concerning organization of competition?
I'm a Director aof Organizaing Committee of 7th Junior World Championships, which will he held on from 7-10 July 2004 in Riccione. I expect the participation of 300 competitors. I think it will be great event.
