Taekwondo PNG has been suspended as a member of the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee (PNGOC).
This is the third time the Taekwondo Federation has been suspended.
The decision was made by the board of the PNGOC on October 3 with the reason being that Taekwondo PNG had not adhered to their membership regulations through non-compliance with the PNGOC constitutional requirements, and ceasing to be legally constituted, without a functioning executive following the resignation of core executives including the President.
Members of Taekwondo PNG were notified of the Board’s decision and advised of a Special General Meeting, which will be convened on November 5 this year at the PNGOC Conference Room for the purpose of electing new office bearers for the National Federation.
President of the PNGOC, Sir John Dawanincura, emphasised the importance of the meeting to appoint new executives.
“The suspension of Taekwondo PNG is an indication that those involved in the sport need to seriously consider the future of Taekwondo and elect the right people to take the sport forward,” said Dawanincura.
He said the PNGOC is working in close consultation with the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) through Oceania Taekwondo Union (OTU) to re-establish the National Federation to ensure Taekwondo PNG is properly functioning under a Constitution that is compliant with WTF and meets PNGOC constitutional requirements.
OTU President, John Kotsifas echoed those remarks.
“OTU would like to see the right people appointed to the new Executive to see the sport of Taekwondo progress in Papua New Guinea,” said Kotsifas.
Dawanincura added that members affiliated to Taekwondo PNG should contact PNG Olympic Committee directly on 325 1449 or 323 0114 for more information on the Special General Meeting and not through any other club or Association.
He said the PNGOC is undertaking an Audit of Compliance of its entire member National Federations and reminding them of their constitutional requirements.
“Good governance with best practices is key to the health and success of a sport and all National Federations are urged to comply with their own constitution and the constitutional requirements as members of the PNG Olympic Committee and their International Federations,” said Dawanincura.