Rwanda National Police

Rwanda National Police (RNP), yesterday, officially launched its Taekwondo club in an event that was marked with skills demonstrations at the General Headquarters in Kacyiru.

The event was also witnessed by officials from Rwanda Taekwondo Federation (RTF).

Taekwondo is a martial arts game that features self defense, physical, health and esteem development.

The launch was also attended by the emeritus president of RTF, Master Martin Koonce, who is also a member of African Taekwondo Union (AFTU).

Master Koonce detailed how the sport started in Rwanda seven years ago and disclosed that the RNP team was this year registered on International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) as a recognized club in Rwanda.

“We are currently working to create a partnership between the World Police Taekwondo Federation and RNP team,” said Master Koonce.

Speaking at the launch, the Commissioner for Human Resource Management and Development in RNP, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Barthelemy Rugwizangoga, said: “Taekwondo, like other sports disciplines, benefit RNP in terms of fitness of the officers and even trickles down to their behavior and daily work.”

“In our day-to-day duties as law enforcers, we encounter incidents that sometimes we are required to neutralize offenders in a highly skilled manner and this is where Taekwondo comes in handy,” he added.

The Commissioner thanked the Rwanda Taekwondo Federation for exhibiting much enthusiasm to partner with RNP and pledged the force’s support to advance the relations to a higher level.

The president of Rwanda Taekwondo Federation, Placide Bagabo also pledged to work with the RNP team and to avail all the technical support possible including trainings.

“For the few years Taekwondo has been in Rwanda, we have achieved a lot; we have started 27 clubs including one of RNP,” Bagabo said.

The Taekwondo club joins other RNP sporting clubs like football, Handball, Karate and athletics.