TEACHERS from Cebu will have the chance to learn and eventually teach the sport of taekwondo to their students.
This after the Philippine Taekwondo Association in Central Visayas (PTA-7) will conduct a training program that will allow teachers to learn more about the Korean martial art.
PTA-7 Chairman Tony del Prado will lead the program as he was once again appointed by PTA Chief Executive Officer Grandmaster Sung Chon Hong to chair the Regional Management Board of the PTA in Region 7.
Part of the group’s plans for 2018 is to join forces with the Department of Education (DepEd) to help teach taekwondo to Mapeh (Music, Arts, Physical Education, and Health) teachers in Cebu.
“Our thrust is to develop the DepEd,” Del Prado told Cebu Daily News, “The vision is to train Mapeh teachers to become competent taekwondo instructors.”
The program, Del Prado said, has already started last month with teachers already taking belt exams at the Cebu City Sports Center.
Region 7 is one of the only four pilot areas the PTA has chosen for the project. The other places are Region 2, Region 4A, and the Iloilo-Antique area.
“We are honored to be chosen but we are embracing the challenge. This is a long-term plan that may take years to accomplish but it is a worthwhile experience.” said Del Prado.
The new regional board, which was already effective last Jan. 1, has Del Prado as their chairman, coach Larry Elpa as vice chair, coach Danny Yap as consultant, and other Cebuano mentors Avenger Alob, Raul Luna and Grace Arnibal as members.
Arnibal is the board’s point person for the teachers’ training program.
“If we can have just one black-belt teacher for each public school then you could just imagine the exponential development of the sport,” Del Prado said.
PTA-7’s plans for the year kick-started with a brilliant performance in the recently concluded National Carlos Palanca Jr. Taekwondo championships in Manila last weekend, where the Cebu team managed to haul five gold medals.