Remarks in A Ceremony on The Conferring of The Highest Belt of Taekwondo by The World Taekwondo Federation

REMARKS
BY
DR. SUSILO BAMBANG YUDHOYONO
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA

IN A CEREMONY
ON THE CONFERRING OF
THE HIGHEST BELT OF TAEKWONDO

BY
THE WORLD TAEKWONDO FEDERATION




SEOUL, 25 JULY 2007

Dr. Chungwon Choue [dibaca cungwon couw], President of Executive Committee of the World Taekwondo Federation,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me begin by expressing how I am deeply heartened and honoured to receive the highest belt of taekwondo from the World Taekwondo Federation.

To me personally, this is a very encouraging moment during my visit to the Republic of Korea. I know Taekwondo is one of the best of Korean heritages to the world. For I know Taekwondo spreads, not only a systematic technique of martial art, but also the spirit of inducing peace to the universal welfare of humankind. And I am now proud to be associated with the noble spirit of Taekwondo.

Let me take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to the World Taekwondo Federation for conferring the highest belt of Taekwondo and for the excellent performances we have just seen.

I believe the conferring of this highest belt of Taekwondo would cement strong relations and cooperation between the Indonesian Taekwondo Organization and the World Taekwondo Federation.

Moreover, I believe that through Taekwondo we can bring closer people-to-people-link between the two nations, Indonesian and Korean. In this connection, I appreciate Korea’s support for the establishment of the Sports Center of Korea-Indonesia Friendship (Taekwondo Center) in Cibubur, Indonesia.

Taekwondo has been a popular sport in Indonesia for more than thirty years. There are now about 600 thousand Taekwondo enthusiasts across the country. We have Taekwondo organizations at the national level as well as the provincial level. Taekwondo has also been officially played at Indonesian Sports Week, which is the annual national sports tournament in Indonesia, since 1985.

It is my fervent hope that the highest belt which I receive today will forever motivate Indonesian Taekwondo athletes to better and improve their achievements in the future. In particular, for Indonesian Taekwondo athletes who are going to take intensive training in Korea for the Southeast Asian Games 2007 in Bangkok in December this year.

Once again, I thank you for conferring of the highest belt of Taekwondo on me. I wish the World Taekwondo Federation continued success in its every endeavour in the future.

I thank you.