World Hangung Association Expands Global Outreach at TAFISA World Congress in Prague
The World Hangung Association (WHA) strengthened the international projection of Hangung, a Korean grassroots sport, during the 29th TAFISA World Congress, held from May 13 to 17, 2026, in Prague, Czech Republic.
According to information published by The AsiaN, WHA President and Hangung founder Hu Kwang, together with WHA Vice President Kang Seok-jae, promoted the values and development potential of Hangung through several official activities, including poster sessions, plenary sessions, regional meetings and thematic group sessions.
One of the key elements of WHA’s presentation was the installation of a Hangung board in the poster exhibition area, allowing participants to experience the sport firsthand. The presentation highlighted Hangung as an accessible and “barrier-free” activity, with particular emphasis on its practice among older adults, wheelchair users and people with visual impairments.
Kang Seok-jae, who also serves as a member of the World Taekwondo Advisory Committee and Vice President of the Asia Journalists Association, emphasized the health and social benefits of Hangung, including its contribution to balance, coordination and active aging.
The WHA also presented plans for the “WHA-TAFISA Global Hangung Care Program,” an initiative aimed at supporting underprivileged groups worldwide, including orphans, older adults and people with disabilities.
Founded in Korea in 2006, Hangung combines elements of traditional Korean games such as Tuho and Gukgung with influences from darts, archery and modern technology. The sport has expanded within Korea and abroad, and was officially recognized by TAFISA as a Traditional Sport and Game in 2015, according to The AsiaN.
The report also notes that Hangung has gained institutional recognition in Korea, including approval by the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee and the Korea Paralympic Committee as a recognized sport in 2021. It has also been introduced into special education textbooks for teachers across elementary, middle and high schools in Korea beginning with the 2025 school year.
WHA President Hu Kwang stated that the organization intends to use its participation in Prague as a step toward greater involvement in future TAFISA World Congresses and TAFISA Asia regional events, with the goal of accelerating the globalization of Hangung.
The participation of the World Hangung Association in Prague reflects a broader trend within the international sport system: the growing value of accessible, inclusive and culturally rooted disciplines capable of connecting sport, health, education and social development.
Source: The AsiaN.
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