Taekwondo Enhances Student Mental Health and Physical Well-being — Says Public Affairs Director
University of Botswana (UB) Director of Public Affairs, Dr Faith Rapuleng-Tuelo, says Taekwondo plays a vital role in enhancing students’ mental health and physical well-being by reducing stress and boosting cognitive functions such as concentration and memory.
She made the remarks at the official opening of the 4th UB Taekwondo Open Championship 2025, held at the UB Indoor Sports Centre on the 4th of October 2025. The martial arts event was organised by the UB Department of Culture, Sports and Recreation in collaboration with the UB Taekwondo Club and attracted athletes of various age groups and clubs from within Botswana and neighbouring countries.
Dr Tuelo said the championship not only promoted fitness but also cultivated essential life skills such as discipline, resilience and time management which in turn enhanced self-confidence and social interaction. She further noted that participation in Taekwondo often translated into better academic performance by encouraging focus, healthy living, respect, integrity and perseverance.
“Research at university level consistently shows that student-athletes tend to perform better academically than their non-athlete counterparts,” she said. Dr Tuelo urged the athletes to remain committed to the pursuit of the black belt, describing it as a journey that instilled perseverance, self-control and leadership which she noted were qualities that were transferable to professional and leadership roles after graduation.
Delivering the keynote address, Botswana Tertiary Student Sports Association (BOTESSA) representative, Mr 
Keorapetse Setlhare, hailed the growth of Taekwondo in Botswana, noting its global stature as an Olympic sport that blended martial arts traditions from Korea, Japan and China.
Mr Setlhare highlighted that Taekwondo’s rise in Botswana gained momentum following the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between the Government of Botswana and South Korea in 2015 which paved the way for the introduction of the sport at UB and the establishment of the UB Taekwondo Club.
He added that through the partnership, the South Korean Government continued to support UB with resources and technical expertise to train coaches and athletes, a collaboration that has strengthened the sport’s development and participation across tertiary institutions.