Dear CTFI Members,
Hope this letter finds you in good health!
With the current situation with regards to the pandemic still in effect, it has become difficult to continue operating our clubs across Canada. Each province has different restriction in place from their Provincial Health Departments. Some provinces are completely shut down while others have restricted number of students per class.
In Saskatchewan all sports meet via zoom every two weeks for a meeting with Sask. Sport and public health to get the latest on the pandemic and future updates . As a collective group we discuss options and exchange ideas. Alberta members have written letters to the Premier with a request to reopen Martial Arts in the province. They have pleaded their case and are waiting on a reply. Hopefully we will see a positive response.
As Martial Art club owners and operators we have the ability to control who enters the dojang and to keep it clean and safe for our students following the guidelines of the public health. Therefore, it is important to contact your MLA in your area to request their assistance in reopening Martial Arts clubs. If you have any ideas or suggestions you would like to share, please forward to the CTFI.
Many clubs are offering virtual classes via zoom etc. which is a temporary fix as it is not the same as in person. With that being said having virtual classes help keep our members engaged with their instructors and Taekwon-Do. The ITF has offered online E-tournaments which helps keep our students active including the first World E-tournament and the upcoming Pan American E-tournament.
To help keep our members engaged the CTFI is in the process of organizing the First National E-tournament in April this year which will include, individual patterns, team patterns, and per arranged sparring. There will more information from our Tournament Director, Master Reinelt. The CTFI will also be offering virtual technical seminars for our members.
If CTFI can assist in anyway with a letter of support for your organization etc., please do not hesitate to contact us. We are available for you as we are all in this situation together.
Communication is the key!
Be safe, and will keep you updated.
Yours in Taekwon-Do,
Master C. Norman