Srinagar, Aug 22: The 13th District Srinagar Official Taekwondo Championships 2023-24 came to a triumphant close, marking a significant milestone in the Union Territory’s sports calendar. The event, organized under the theme “My Youth My Pride,” was meticulously coordinated by the Taekwondo Association of District Srinagar, in collaboration with the J&K Taekwondo Association (Regd), and with the backing of the J&K Sports Council (JKSC).
The two-day championship, which ran from August 20th to 21st was held at the Indoor Hall, Polo Ground, Srinagar.
The closing ceremony was graced by distinguished figures, including Muzaffar Hussain Wani, Divisional Sports Officer (k), who honored the event as the Chief Guest. Alongside him was Rouf Ahmed Bhat, Sports Promoter & Under Secretary to Govt. Forest Department. In his address, Wani conveyed his heartfelt felicitations to all medalists and participants for their spirited involvement in the championship. He also commended the J&K Taekwondo Association for their relentless commitment to nurturing the sport of Taekwondo within the Union Territory.
Heading the championship were Nissar Hussain, Vice President of JKTA, and Junaid Mayer Qasba, Secretary of the Taekwondo Association of District Srinagar. Notable individuals who played pivotal roles in the event’s success included Nishant Singh Jamwal (AAO) from JK Sports Council, Goutam Shukla from JKSC, Chander Shekhar (Handball coach), Mohd Amin (Manager of Polo Ground), Dr. Akbar Khan (Member of JKSC), and Tariq Lone (Aaj Tak).
The championship served as a platform for the District Taekwondo Association to honor outstanding individuals within the sports community. Sultan, an exceptional Para Athlete, was recognized for his selection to represent the Union Territory at the forthcoming World Para Taekwondo Championship. Additionally, Ms. Sadia Tariq, a renowned International Wushu player and former Taekwondo Athlete, received recognition for her exceptional achievements in the field.
Ensuring the technical precision of the championship was the accomplished Technical Team, spearheaded by Master Atul Pangotra, an International Referee from WT. The referee panel featured skilled professionals such as Rohit Sharma, Suhail Khan, Shah Faiq, Musadiq, Faizan Ahmad, Tanveer, Adeeba, Aqib Gulzar, Suhail Ahmed, and Anees Bhat, who upheld the principles of fair play and accuracy throughout the competition.
As the curtains drew on the 13th District Srinagar Taekwondo Championship, all the medalists emerged as proud representatives of District Srinagar, ready to vie for victory in the upcoming 26th J&K UT Taekwondo Championships in 2023. The event stood as a testament to the Union Territory’s commitment to fostering sports excellence and empowering its youth through healthy competition and camaraderie.
