On the invitation of Mr. Vencislav Ignatov, the President of Bulgarian Association of Taekwon-Do ITF, two representatives of the Board of Directors of All Europe Taekwon-Do Federation, Master Tadeusz Loboda and Master Jerzy Jedut went to Bulgaria in the term 4th – 6th June 2011.
The goals of the visit were: to meet the leaders of Bulgarian Association of Taekwon-Do and member clubs, acknowledge the situation of Taekwon-Do ITF in Bulgaria, learning the technical level of BAT competitors through conducting the training session to prepare to the degree test, presenting the methodology of teaching Taekwon-Do, rules of performing the patterns, step sparring and the appointment with the representatives of local authorities as well as the Ministry of Physical Education and Sport and examine the organizational potential of BAT to host European Cup and European Championships.
Master Loboda and Master Jedut arrived to Bulgaria at 14.00 on Saturday, 4th June. They were welcomed by three membered delegation headed by Mr. Vencislav Ignatov, the President, Mr. Julian Iliev, Vice President and Mr. Marin Bojkov, Member of the Board of BAT. During the way from the airport the hosts showed the sports hall being built: “Arena Sofia”, see link: http://mpes.government.bg/Pages/Press/Photo/Default.aspx?evntid=eAIHtMyw%2ft4%3d.
The official opening will be in October 2011. The Sport Hall fulfils all the latest standards for such buildings. Then they were transported to very pleasant “Jagoda” guests house.
After a short time to refresh the delegation of AETF visited the headquarters of BAT. Mr. Ignatov presented the documents showing the activities of his association, which were very impressive. They received the book „History of Olympic movement” written by Ms. Raina Burdareva, which was published thanks to the financial support inter alia of BAT. They also familiarized themselves with the current structures of BAT in Bulgaria.
After the meeting at the headquarters Master Loboda and Master Jedut were invited to the traditional Bulgarian restaurant. The Bulgarian cuisine is famous for its rich salads required at every meal. Bulgarian cuisine is also noted for the diversity and quality of dairy products. During the dinner were raised topics regarding activities of ITF and AETF and many other subjects. Afterwards there was some time to sightseeing the centre of Sofia and some historic buildings.
On Sunday, at 9 a.m. the training session conducted by Master Jerzy Jedut begun in the complex of Ministry of the Interior Academy. Sixty-five participants from Bulgaria and four representatives from Serbia, leaded by Mr. Zvezdan Milenkovic, the President and Nenad Nikodijević, the Secretary General of Taekwondo Federation of Central and Southeast Serbia took part in this event. Participants had degrees from 4 gup to 4th Degree.
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All participants were very committed, focused and open to learn new things, exceptionally disciplined.
The official opening was attended by the following distinguished guests, who made small speeches to the participants.
The local media from TV, radio and press were also present. They were recording the training session conducted by Master Jedut and were interviewing attendants and guests.
While Master Jedut was continuing the training session Master Loboda had an appointment with Assoc. Prof. Jordan Penev, Ph.D., Rector of Ministry of the Interior Academy. During this appointment Master Loboda was informed about activity and contribution to the development of Taekwon-Do ITF in police and through the police clubs’ for Bulgarian citizens.
Other attendances on this meeting also were:
The afternoon session lasted from 14.00 to 19.00 and were finished with handing nice occasional diplomas to participants.
Next the degree test was held. Three people took the grading. Two people were promoted:
In the evening was held the official dinner with the participants of the training. In the dinner participated the four membered delegation from Serbia, also Mr. Aleksandar Milicevic, The First Counsellor of Serbian Ambassador in Bulgariac and Mr. Plamen Georgiev, the government expert of the National Centre for European youth programs, who inter alia presented the possibilities of cooperation between BAT and AETF. It was also an opportunity to talk to instructors and answer all their questions regarding ITF and AETF.
On Monday, after breakfast Master Loboda and Master Jedut visited the main gym of BAT. Then, at 11.00 was held the meeting at the Ministry of Physical Education and Sport, which lasted about 40 minutes. Apart of the AETF delegation, the meeting was attended by Mr. Vencislav Ignatov, the President and Mr. Yavor Tasev, Secretary General of BAT and Mr. Svilen Neykov, the Minister of Physical Education and Sport, Mr. Krasimir Panov, Media Advisor to the Ministry of Physical Education and Sport and the lady, who was an official ministry translator.
The Minister handed the occasional plates to the representatives of AETF, whereas Master Loboda handed to the Ministry the congratulation letter for supporting the development of Teakwon-Do ITF in Bulgaria and the publication “Quadrathlon Taekwon-Do ITF”.
The visit in the Ministry had been announced on the website of the Ministry as well as on the official website of BAT. The beginning of the meeting was recorded by Bulgarian TV and other mass media.
The meeting ran in a very nice atmosphere. The delegates of AETF presented the situation of Taekwon-Do ITF in the world and Europe as well as the position of BAT in relation to this. The possibilities potential of hosting the big international events and the eventual support from Ministry of Physical Education and Sport were also discussed.
The meeting at the Ministry was the last point of visit in Bulgaria.
The stay in Sofia, although very short was very intensive. All goals that had been set before arrival were achieved.
Ms. Agnieszka Mazur
PA to Master Tadeusz Loboda