Taekwondo planning to lessen use of WTF acronym

The World Federation (WTF) on Saturday says the body is planning to rebrand its name as World Taekwondo’ for marketing purposes.

According to Insidethegames, an online portal, the decision comes as part of the regulatory body’s new five-point development roadmap, to reposition taekwondo events, raise the profile and create awareness for the sport.

It added that WTF Secretary, Hoss Rafaty unveiled that the plan was not to fully change the name of the body, but would adopt the new name for marketing and business purposes.

There are no plans to fully change the name of the organisation but the body will still continue owning the rights to the WTF name.

World Taekwondo, however, will be used for all marketing and business purposes, something that has already begun in events such as the World Taekwondo Grand Prix, and Taekwondo World Championships.

This is partly in order to develop a consistent and easily recognisable brand name,” the portal quotes Rafaty as saying.

The portal evoked that various sporting bodies have undergone name changes in a rebranding exercise in recent years, including the International Sailing Federation now known as World Sailing.

Others are the International Rugby Board, which has become World Rugby, and the International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles, which became United World Wrestling. (NAN)