Keen to see State players dominate Taekwondo in National arena : Y Khemchand
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 29 2022: Minister for MAHUD, Yumnam Khemchand has expressed his keen desire to see State taekwondo players keep the State flag high in the National arena.

Khemchand was attending a reception function of Union Taekwondo Academy's international players and the contingent who won medals at the recently concluded 16th Governor's Taekwondo Cup 2022 organised at TS Paul Women's College campus, when he made the statement.

Being a former taekwondo player and member of the All Manipur Taekwondo Association, he had made all possible contributions from his end to make sure Manipur occupied a high place in the taekwondo map of India, he said.

Keen to see State players dominate Taekwondo in National arena : Y Khemchand

The State however looked to lose its dominance slightly in the recent years, he said while stressing on the need to reinforce the movement and further strengthen Manipur's position in the National arena.

The reception programme was also attended by Naoriya Pakhanglakpa AC MLA, S Kebi and Bobby Waikhom, secretary to the Governor and Commissioner (CAF and PD) who is also the president of All Manipur Taekwondo Association as the presidium members.

Addressing the gathering as guest of honour, S Kebi also noted the significance of games and sports in guiding youth towards a positive path and lauded the State players for bringing laurels to the State and country.

She assured to provide all forms of possible assistance from her end.

Functional president Bobby Waikhom in the meantime encouraged state athletes that efforts to ensure the latest kits and sporting equipment to further raise the standard of the State athletes are underway.

Since its establishment in November, 1998 at Keishampat Top Leirak, Krishnadas Paul Mandab, Union Taekwondo Academy has been continuously doing well and making many extraordinary achievements by producing meritorious athletes.

The academy sealed the runners up spot in the State level championship held in 1999 and have been reigning champions in the State level championship since 2000 .

Moreover, the academy has been continuously lifting top honours of Governor's Taekwondo Cup started in 2005 and underlined its dominance by finishing team champions in the 16th edition of the tournament held from May 12 to 15 by amassing as many as 13 gold, 19 silver and 31 bronze medals.

The medal recipients of the recently concluded event and UTA athletes who have represented India in various international events- Sapam Nancy (2nd Asian Cadet Taekwondo Championship 2021 -Ho Chi Minh), Nongdren Khaba (World Taekwondo Poomsae Championship 2018- Chinese Taipei and Asian Junior Poomsae Championship 2019-Amman in Jordan) and Priyadarshini Mayengbam (3rd Asian Cadet Kyurogi and Poomsae Taekwondo Championship held in Amman and World Taekwondo Cadet Championship 2019 held in Tashkent) were feted with presents at the occasion.