The European Taekwondo Union has announced its official committee appointments for the 2026-2027 cycle, establishing a highly technical and balanced administrative structure designed to modernize sport operations ahead of the next General Assembly.
The European Taekwondo Union (ETU) has officially confirmed the restructuring of its standing committees for the 2026-2027 administration period. Announced from the continental headquarters following a comprehensive evaluation process by the Ad Hoc Nominations Committee, the newly formed bodies establish the operational framework that will guide European taekwondo up to the 2027 ETU General Assembly.
Led by Committee Chair Dr. Said Khelwatty, the selection process focused on technical expertise, geographical balance, and equal representation across gender and athlete demographics. The final rosters successfully combine veteran sport administrators with former elite competitors, shifting continental governance toward a highly professional, specialized management approach.
The appointments across the 19 distinct committees reflect a strategic effort to stabilize technical development while ensuring strict regulatory oversight. The Technical Committee, operating as an overarching body that coordinates specific sport divisions, will directly manage continental competition standards.
Key administrative portfolios for the 2026-2027 term include:
* Athletes Committee: Three-time world champion Bianca Cook (GBR) takes the chair, supported by Olympian Nikita Glasnovic (CRO) as Vice-Chair, establishing a direct channel between active competitors and the executive board.
* Coaches Committee: High-performance specialist Dragan Jovic (SRB) will lead the group, bringing elite tactical expertise to continental planning.
* Games Committee: Ali Sagirkaya (TUR) assumes leadership to oversee the complex logistics, technical delegate assignments, and operational delivery of upcoming multi-sport events.
* Referee and Technical Sectors: The Referee Committee introduces a Co-Chair system led by Mohammed Argoubi (NED) and Kostas Kaloudis (GRE), while Mustapha Moutarazak (NED) will direct the Poomsae Committee.
The Executive Board also emphasized institutional integrity and athlete welfare by selecting Tunde Szarka (HUN) to lead the Safeguarding and Integrity Committee. Financial oversight transitions to Gerd Kohlhofer (GER), who will chair the Finance Committee.
This structural reorganization mirrors the permanent committee framework utilized by World Taekwondo, creating a direct operational link between continental administration and global regulatory bodies. By placing established technical experts at the head of these specialized commissions, the ETU aims to standardize officiating, accelerate the development of Para Taekwondo infrastructure, and expand grassroots educational programs across all Member National Associations.
The restructuring arrives at a vital time as European athletes prepare for major international qualification pathways. The creation of specialized bodies for TV and Media, Institutional Relations, and Applied Science highlights a broader institutional push to improve commercial reach and incorporate sports science data into European taekwondo.
The newly appointed committee members assume their roles immediately. Their initial tasks focus on finalizing the standardized technical regulations for the remaining events on the 2026 continental calendar. These administrative bodies will convene their opening strategic sessions shortly to draft the development roadmaps that will remain active until the next major structural review at the 2027 ETU General Assembly.
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These comprehensive administrative appointments represent a deliberate step by the ETU leadership to strengthen systemic integrity, operational capacity, and technical execution throughout the continent.
