The Ivorian Taekwondo Federation has signed an agreement with the National Institute of Youth and Sports of Abidjan ©FITKD

The Ivorian Taekwondo Federation (FITKD) has signed an agreement with the National Institute of Youth and Sports of Abidjan (INJS).

It will lead to taekwondo training taking place at the institution in the Ivory Coast's largest city.

Producing more qualified coaches is a key goal of the tie-up.

FITKD President Bamba Cheick Daniel signed a memorandum of understanding with INJS director general Sanogo Habib to formalise the deal. 

"This is a new day for Ivorian taekwondo and I would like to say thank you to the director general for accepting our masterful entry into this institute," said Daniel. 

"The entry into the INJS of taekwondo means a secure future.

The deal will lead to the training of more taekwondo coaches ©FITKD
The deal will lead to the training of more taekwondo coaches ©FITKD

"We are masters of taekwondo but we cannot dispense this discipline because there are whole areas of knowledge that escape us. 

"Now in high schools and colleges, we will have teachers who know the history of taekwondo, who know how to manage children from three to four years and who know how to make them rise gradually. 

"It is therefore an important outlet for the athletes." 

The arrangement comes after a golden period for Ivorian taekwondo following Cheick Sallah Cissé's Olympic title in the men's 80 kilograms class at Rio 2016.

At the same Games in the Brazilian city, Ruth Gbagbi won a bronze medal in the women's 67kg event.

Gbagbi then added 2017 World Championship gold in Muju in South Korea.

Ivory Coast hosted the 2017 World Grand Prix Finals in Abidjan.