69th National School Games Taekwondo U-14 Boys Championship from October 28

DIMAPUR — The Department of Youth Resources and Sports is set to host the 69th National School Games Taekwondo U-14 Boys Championship from October 28 to the 30th at K Kire Stadium, IPS Badminton Stadium, and Police Complex, Chümoukedima.

Advisor for Tribal Affairs and Election, H Tovihoto Ayemi and Minister for Women Resource Development and Horticulture Salhoutuonuo Kruse have consented to attend the opening and closing ceremonies, respectively, as special guests.

This was announced by Kethosituo Sekhose, director of Youth Resources and Sports, during a press conference held on Monday at the K Kire Stadium premises in Dimapur. He stated that the 69th National School Games Taekwondo U-14 Boys Championship is being organised and powered by the government of Nagaland under the aegis of the School Games Federation of India (SGFI).

Sekhose said the government of Nagaland agreed to host the championship, as it believes the state has great potential to excel in Taekwondo, which is an Olympic discipline. He informed that around 30 states and union territories, along with five additional units, are expected to participate in the championship.

The five units will include teams from the CBSE, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, and other educational boards affiliated with the School Games Federation of India (SGFI).

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He stated that the championship will witness the participation of nearly 400 individuals, including around 310 athletes representing 35 states, union territories, and units. About 75 coaches, managers, and heads of delegations will also take part in the event.

Officials and referees for the championship have been drawn from across the Northeast, including Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Sikkim, Nagaland, and Manipur.

Sekhose expressed his gratitude to the DGP of Nagaland for granting the use of the Police Complex, particularly the K Kire Stadium and the NGO Mess for accommodation, as well as the Police Sports Academy Hostel and the Officers’ Mess for lodging arrangements.

He mentioned that Nagaland officials are being accommodated at the Circuit House, Dimapur, while officials from outside the state are housed at the NGO Mess and in various hotels around Chümoukedima.

He added that around 25 committees have been constituted for the smooth conduct of the championship, with each committee headed by a senior officer. The tournament is being organised in collaboration with the Nagaland Taekwondo Association.

Sekhose conveyed his gratitude to Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio, for allocating sufficient funds to ensure the smooth conduct of the event.

He further highlighted that this is the second National School Games being hosted by Nagaland—the first being Sepak Takraw—and said that hosting the 69th National School Games Taekwondo U-14 Boys Championship reflects the state government’s commitment to promoting sports.

International referee and competition director Joseph Thansanga stated that the championship will feature competitions across eight weight categories over the course of three days.

He stated that the event will adopt the new World Taekwondo rules, and a referee clinic will be conducted to familiarise participants and officials with the updated regulations, scoring systems, and the equipment to be used during the matches.

Joint Secretary of Youth Resources and Sports Temjensangla stated that the Nagas have consistently excelled in combat sports and expressed hope that hosting this championship will motivate and encourage the participants.