AETF Congress 2026: Europe Defines Its Direction in Maribor
Maribor, Slovenia – April 12, 2026 The AETF Congress 2026, held at the Hotel Habakuk in Maribor, marked a pivotal moment for the All Europe Taekwon-Do Federation — not as a ceremonial gathering, but as a decisive forum where accountability met ambition and European ITF Taekwon-Do set its strategic trajectory for the years ahead.
With 29 voting delegates present (two registered voters were unable to attend), the Congress proceeded with full legitimacy and a strong mandate, confirming a federation increasingly defined by structure, transparency, and forward planning.
International Recognition and Strategic Presence
The stature of the Congress was reinforced by the presence of two major international figures: Grand Master Paul Weiler, President of the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF), and Fernando Arrúa, President of the South American Taekwon-Do Federation (FST). Their participation underscored the growing international relevance of the AETF and the confidence placed in its leadership and governance.
A Year Measured in Results, Not Rhetoric
Opening the Congress, AETF President Master Tomaz Barada delivered a comprehensive review of the federation’s work throughout 2025. Over the past year, the AETF leadership convened more than ten Executive Board meetings, establishing operational clarity. Most importantly, for the first time in AETF history, all committees were fully functional, producing tangible outcomes:
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Digital Hub: Launch of the new official AETF website (www.itfeurope.org).
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Legal Security: Successful WIPO registration of the AETF trademark in February 2026.
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Performance Tracking: Introduction of the AETF Ranking System, with participation from 22 member nations.
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Education: Hosting of the 1st European Qualifying Umpire Course (EQUC) in Maribor.
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Sustainability: Development of a stable commercial sponsorship portfolio and partnership with TKD Tekkers for professional media coverage.
Committees in Action
One of the defining features of the Congress was the decision to give the floor to every committee chair.
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The Development Committee presented a new learning platform to centralize education for athletes and coaches.
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The Marketing & Communication Committee introduced a new sponsorship model moving toward integrated, value-based partnerships.
Competitive Calendar
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European Cup 2026: Awarded to Croatia (December 2026).
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European Championships 2027: Confirmed for Riccione, Italy (April 2027).
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Future Bids: Tampere, Finland officially declared its intention to bid for the 2029 European Championships.
Fair Play and Integrity at the Core
A further milestone was the formal launch of the AETF Fair Play Award, reinforcing the federation’s commitment to ethics and sporting values. Importantly, the Anti-Doping Committee provided the framework for the award, emphasizing integrity, respect, and clean sport as core principles. The award will be presented for the first time at the 2027 European Championships.
From Congress to Competition
The conclusion of the Congress seamlessly transitioned into the opening of the AETF European Championships 2026, hosted at Dvorana Tabor in Maribor.
With nearly 1,000 competitors from 32 nations, the Championships serve as a live demonstration of the organizational principles discussed only hours earlier — professionalism, visibility, and unified standards. The event is being broadcast live through CombatSportLive.tv.
Photos by: Marko Pigac
