Tong-Il Moo-Doo: President Kenyatta flags off team to South Korea

President Uhuru Kenyatta flags off the Tong-Il Moo-Do national martial arts team who are representing the country at the 2019 Chungju World Martial Arts Mastership in Korea. [Photo: PSCU]

President Uhuru Kenyatta has today assured the country that his administration is keen on harnessing and nurturing sporting talents among young Kenyans.

He said mechanisms are being put in place to ensure that talents are identified and developed right from the grassroots to benefit gifted young people.

"We do not just want to cultivate talents at the national but also at the grassroots level," the President said.

He said the Competence Based Curriculum being rolled out is structured to facilitate the identification and development of talented young people at an early age.

The President spoke on Wednesday at State House, Nairobi when he flagged off Tong-il Moo-Do Kenya national team that will be representing the country at the 2019 Chungju World Martial Arts Mastership in South Korea. Tong-IL Moo-Doo is a unique Korean martial arts sport.

President Kenyatta was presented with the 8th degree honorary Black Belt award from the World Tong-Il Moo-Doo Federation in appreciation of his continuous support and commitment to the sport.

The award was given to the President by the Chairman of the Kenya Tong-Il Moo-Doo Federation Clarence Mwakio Ingalwa.

Sports CS Amina Mohamed said Kenya's sports men and women are the country's foremost ambassadors as they continue to raise the national flag high at international platforms.

The CS commended the national beach volleyball team for winning a silver medal at the ongoing 12th African Games in Morocco yesterday.

President Uhuru Kenyatta interacts with Tong-Il Moo-Do players at State House, Nairobi. [Photo: PSCU]

The chairman of Kenya Tong-Il Moo-Doo Federation Mwakio praised President Kenyatta and his Government through the Ministry of Sports for supporting the sport.

"In 11 years of our existence we have attended nine international tournaments both in Kenya and abroad. In this period, especially in the last seven years that President Uhuru has been in office his government's support has seen Kenya rise in Tong-Il Moo-Doo world ranking to second behind the Philippines.

"The world body has bestowed Kenya with the honour of hosting the seventh edition of the World Championship on December 7 to 8 in Mombasa. This will put Kenya on the global map again," Ingalwa said.

He pledged to work with Ministry of Sport to ensure there returns on their investment and general support.

The sports men and women were accompanied to State House by Sports PS Kirimi Kaberia and Athletics Kenya President Lt. Gen (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei.