B.D.F. soldiers train in taekwondo
The Belize Defense Force is trained to defend the country and to assist in the maintenance of order, but through the Embassy of Taiwan, some soldiers got training in combat skills to defend themselves. Twenty-nine survived the rigorous taekwondo training at Price Barracks. Delahnie Bain was on hand for the closing of the course.
Delahnie Bain, Reporting
B.D.F. soldiers put off an impressive display at Price Barracks for the closing ceremony of a seven week training course. But unlike previous trainings, there were no firearms or explosives involved. This time the soldiers were taught the hand to hand combat skills of taekwondo, courtesy of the Republic of China on Taiwan.
Ting Joseph Shih, Ambassador, Republic on Taiwan
“When Minister Perdomo visited Taiwan just recently, we worked together to bring in two instructors from our national defense force in Taiwan. Taekwondo is a skill of basic training for all our soldiers in Taiwan to maintain the democracy and safety in our community. So we are glad to be able to share these combat skills and training with our friends here in Belize. The taekwondo is not only a skill for the defense force, but also it is a mental and discipline and commitment to bring the best in your society.”
Brigadier General Dario Tapia, Commandant, B.D.F.
“As you and I know, this could be applied in any situation in life. They could be in downtown Belize City and could become a victim of robbery or any assault and I would hope that they would be able to defend themselves unarmed.”
Twenty-nine of thirty-two soldiers who enrolled completed the course and received their certificates today. And while the new skill will be an asset, the training was no walk in the park.
Sgt. Elvira Herrera, Trained in Taekwondo
“For the first two weeks, it was challenging cause yoh lef painy and cramp up mam.”
Delahnie Bain
“Why did you decide to participate in this training?”
Sgt. Elvira Herrera
“Well, I mi always want learn fi defend myself physically, other dan using a weapon and thing like dat.”
Lance Coporal Keith Pinnix, Trained in Taekwondo
“It’s very nice, interesting I learn a lot because, first of all, I had no idea what was taekwondo on a whole and after the seven weeks I learn a lot and look forward to continuing the training.”
Lance Corporal Robert Jones
“Fi myself o tek it as wah experience. I want to learn new stuff so I could go and teach it to di young kids and people who are interested other dan my soldiers.”
And the participants will have more sparring partners in the near future because Brigadier General Dario Tapia says the training continues.
Brig. Gen. Dario Tapia
“Another course starts as of Monday so we’ll train another batch of soldiers in taekwondo and certainly even when the instructors from Taiwan return to their country, we would want to ensure that other soldiers get some kind of taekwondo training as well because I think they can benefit from the training not only because they can fend for themselves, but also because of the discipline that comes with that type of training.”
Ting Joseph Shih
“I think from today’s show or the result of this training, I think both my government and Belize’s government will continue to bring this together. I think it’s essential for us to work together for our joint effort to bring peace and prosperity to both our countries.”
Both Ambassador Ting Joseph Shih and Brigadier General Tapia agreed that it was a major accomplishment for the soldiers to complete the rigorous training in only seven weeks. Delahnie Bain for News Five.
