The 36th Nagaland State Taekwondo Championship commenced in Kohima, featuring the inaugural Under-14 Catch Them Young tournament statewide
KOHIMA — The 36th Kyorugi and 1st Poomsae Nagaland State Taekwondo Championship-cum-Under-14 Catch Them Young Tournament commenced at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima, on Wednesday.
Organised by the Nagaland Taekwondo Association (NTA) in collaboration with the Department of Youth Resources and Sports (DYRS), the championship has drawn participants from 15 teams across the state.
Inaugurating the event, Kohima Superintendent of Police Krodi Rhetso urged athletes to uphold discipline and perseverance, describing taekwondo as a sport that builds character beyond competition. He encouraged participants to view the championship as a stepping stone, saying the values learnt through the sport would benefit them in academics, careers and public service.
Rhetso also lauded the introduction of the Under-14 Catch Them Young initiative, saying it would help identify and nurture young talent for national and international competitions.
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Joint Director of DYRS Khriehutuo Tsira said taekwondo has remained one of Nagaland's most successful medal-winning disciplines and announced that the state will host the Khelo India National School Games Under-14 Taekwondo Championship from December 14 to 18, 2026.
NTA president Pele Khezhie highlighted the association's recent achievements, including one gold and two bronze medals at the School Games Federation of India (SGFI) National Taekwondo Championship. He said medal winners from the ongoing state championship would qualify to represent Nagaland at the upcoming SGFI National Championship, to be hosted in the state later this year.
Khezhie also congratulated athletes for their performances at the Meghalaya Open, Sikkim Open International and Kukkiwon Open International Taekwondo championships, and commended coach Visabiu Peseyie for winning the Best Coach Award at the Meghalaya Open Championship.
According to the organisers, this year's championship has recorded a higher participation than last year's edition in Longleng, reflecting the sport's growing popularity in Nagaland.
Teams from Kohima, Chümoukedima, Dimapur, Kiphire, Mokokchung, Nagaland Police, Niuland, Noklak, Peren, Phek, Shamator, Tuensang, Wokha, Zunheboto and DYRS are participating.