Local and South Korean taekwondo students took to the mats of the Khmer-Booyoung Taekwondo Center at the National Sports Complex yesterday morning to contest combat and performance events as part of the Cambodia-Korea Friendship Competition to honour the completion of the World Taekwondo Federation Peace Corps mission to the Kingdom.

According to Cambodian Taekwondo Federation’s president, Noun Sophea, the tournament yielded participation from seven local organisations – Boeung Trabek High School, the National Bodyguard department, New World International School, the National Pedagogical Institute, Westline School and the University of Puthisastra.

It was attended by director of the sports department at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport Ouk Sethycheat, National Olympic Committee of Cambodia general secretary Vath Chamroeun, head of the Ministry’s Physical Sports Department Hun Samuth and chief of the National Sport Training Centre Pong Sok.

“This event, which includes both combat and performance contests, really helps contribute to the Cambodian Taekwondo Federation’s experience and techniques, which will in turn help [Cambodia] earn medals at the 2013 SEA Games in Myanmar [in December],” Ouk Sethycheat told reporters.