Karabo Ntanzi
Two South African Taekwondo Federation (SATF) athletes say they are thinking beyond the All Africa Games in Accra, Ghana. Donica Nazlin Tafel and Jayden Felicity Kaars, both from Kimberly, say their ultimate dream is to represent South Africa in the Olympic games in the United States of America. The L.A. games are to take place from 14 to 30 July 2028.
They will take part in the upcoming All Africa Games in Ghana in March this year and will use the Ghana tournament to prepare for major sporting events. Tafel and Kaars, both members of Shodokwon Academy, have already received their National colors in 2022, representing Team S.A. in the Region 5 Games in Malawi and are now ready for the Continental Games, according to Master trainer Sabonim David Kok.
“The young women are both in grade 12 at Emmanuel Secondary School; they’re mentally prepared for what it’s worth to be stamped as true Ambassadors of their Sport, Taekwondo, and South Africa. We aim to have our prominent athletes as part of the APEX Programme to have them ready to produce the maximum results of bringing back medals in the 2028 L.A. Olympics,” added the Master.
Kok explained that the athletes are excited about the upcoming All-Africa Games.
He said: “They are training every day; this shows their preparedness to do well in Accra.
They depart for Ghana around the 14-15 March 2024, and we are having a training camp session with the National Head Coach who will be instrumental for them towards their hard work for the oncoming games, said Kok.”
“We call on businesses, partners, and sponsors to kindly support our athletes to realize their dream of representing the country. Assistance for their flight and accommodation will be much appreciated,” he pleaded.
About the history of Shidokwon, Kock said the Academy has brought a new scope of social cohesion within Roodepan and Kimberley,
“The academy stands proud to have brought up athletes with such talents, especially young women.”
The Academy was formed and opened on 09 September 2015 in Roodepan/Pescodia and Registered with its 1st intake of 46 students, which, within the 1st year of Inauguration, closed with 96 students on record.”
Comments are closed.