British Taekwondo is delighted to announce that there will be two British representatives on the European Taekwondo Union board for the next four-year cycle, with Sarah Stevenson-Jennings MBE and Dr Said Khelwatty appointed into their roles as council members earlier this month.
The pair were present as Greece’s Sakis Pragalos was unanimously elected to continue to lead the ETU at the General Assembly of the union in Nuremberg, Germany, and were duly appointed into their roles, alongside 18 other council members from 17 countries.
While Germany’s Antonio Barbarino was re-appointed as Secretary General and Luxembourg’s Norbert Welu took his role as Treasurer, American Seon Kim was appointed as honorary Vice President, having been an integral part of the European family.
For both Said and Sarah, it was a proud day as they were appointed onto the ETU council, as they both continue to flourish in their Taekwondo journey.
British Taekwondo Non-Executive Director Khelwatty has previously represented Great Britain at World level events, as well as being part of the first World Taekwondo demonstration team at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Said has been a British Taekwondo board member since 2017, and currently chairs the BT Technical Committee, as well as the ETU Para Taekwondo Committee, with his latest recognition another proud moment in a prestigious career.
“Being appointed to the ETU Council is truly an honour for me, and I am deeply grateful for the trust placed in me by President Sakis Pragalos,” Said commented.
“This opportunity signifies a significant milestone in my Taekwondo journey, allowing me to contribute on a larger scale to the development and growth of our beloved sport at a European level. It’s a privilege to be able to represent and advocate for the interests of our community.”
For British Taekwondo President Sarah, it is another huge milestone in a career that has blossomed on and off the mat, with the 2008 Olympic bronze medallist and three-time World Champion continuing in the role she has held for the past four years, with plenty of positive progress made across the continent in that time.
After her reappointment, Stevenson-Jennings was keen to continue that strong work in the years to come: “It means a great deal to me to be appointed onto the ETU Council for another four-year cycle,” she said.
“Over the last four years, I have been privileged to work alongside dedicated colleagues to develop and strengthen relationships across Europe, with a particular focus on our collaboration with European leaders and, of course, President Pragolos.
“Looking ahead to the next four years, I am determined to build and continue expanding our efforts to support our National Governing Body (NGB) members, our elite athletes, and our event strategy.
“These priorities are at the heart of our vision, ensuring we provide value and opportunities for everyone involved in the sport.”
The ETU aims to enhance development and foster innovation going forward, and has major plans in place to celebrate its 50th anniversary in Nuremberg in 2026, while also building on the success of the Paris 2024 Olympics, where almost 40% of medals went to athletes from the continent.
Growing the sport will be a key objective of all members of the council going forward, and Said is relishing the opportunity to build relationships, and strengthen the standards already in place across Europe:
“In this role, I am eager to champion initiatives that promote inclusivity and innovation within the Taekwondo community. One of my primary goals is to strengthen collaboration among member nations to facilitate the exchange of ideas and best practices,” he stated.
“I also aim to assist in the administration, education, and standardisation of events, ensuring that our competitions uphold the highest quality and consistency across Europe. Through a collaborative and supportive environment, I believe we can benefit athletes at all levels, enhancing their experiences and progression in the sport.”
We are incredibly proud to have two British representatives on the ETU council going forward, and both Said and Sarah are confident they can help to make positive changes in the future after the news earlier this month.
Sarah added: “With Said and me bringing our unique skillsets and diverse perspectives to the Council, I am confident that we will make a strong team.
“Our shared commitment to excellence and inclusivity allows us to represent British Taekwondo and GB Taekwondo at the highest level. I am excited to see what we can achieve together in this new cycle”
Said continued: “Having British representation on the ETU Council is vital as it ensures that our unique perspectives and contributions are recognised in discussions shaping the future of Taekwondo in Europe.
“It also highlights the excellence and dedication within our membership. Importantly, our increased presence means that we now have three votes at the ETU General Assembly, strengthening our ability to influence key decisions and actively participate in fostering positive changes in the sport.”
Featured photo: European Taekwondo Union
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