SPORTS

Kathmandu Saturday December 02, 2000 Mangshir 17,  2057.

First National Taekwondo convention

Post Report

KATHMANDU, Dec 1- The first ever Nationl Taekwondo Convention, kicked off today at Dasarath Stadium amidst a grand ceremony.

The historic convention was organized by the Central Taekwondo Dojang of Nepal Taekwondo Association.

Minister of State for Women, Children and Social Welfare, Kamala Pant was the Chief guest who inaugurated the historic conference.

Speaking at the ocassion, Kamala Pant said that the association has a vital role not only in promoting sports but also in correcting our youths.

" Since modern day taekwondo’s official birth on April 11, 1955, its development as a sport has been rapid and Nepal has the potential to make significant progress," the Chief Instructor and also the international referee Santosh Pradhan said adding that the last 18 years have been dominated by one-man and his one-sided approach. We couldn’t field our players at the Sydney Olympic, 2000 where we could have at least got a wild card." He also said that for all such failure Nepal Taekwondo Association is equally responsible. "We need international degree, not the kind of national level certificates that were provided to our players so far," said the Chief Instructor adding that the target of Nepali Taekwondo as sport should not only be limited in Asia but also in international arena.

Around 200 coaches from 13 districts all over the country, who are currently giving Dojang training participated in the convention.

"The history of Taekwondo in Nepal can be traced back to the year 1983. Eversince, there was no national level conference like this held in Nepal," said the Chief Instructor, Santosh Pradhan, who was appointed to the post on 23rd October this year.

Nepal Taekwondo Association (NTA) has been given recognition by both World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) and the National Sports Council (NSC). NTA is making major efforts to standardize tournament rules and organize world class competitions.

When asked about the objective of holding such a historic conference, he said, "This is going to define the role of each taekwondo instructors."

The newly appointed Chief wants to unify Taekwondo from Mechi to Mahakali by clearly defining the role of intructors in each district on their individual capacity.

He said that the vision of Nepali Taekwondo should be broad and unity, development, discipline and dynamism must prevail, which is essential for any game to be successful.

" Yesterday, it was one-man, but now we will make it a team-work," he said referring to what he call the policy of factionalism of the former boss, Dip Raj Gurung.

Also present at the ocassion were former taekwondo icons of Nepal-Arjun Rai, Hariswore Pokhrel, Nepal’s first woman blackbelt Dr. Suda Sen, Nepal’s first men’s Blackbelt Sher Bahadur and various other coaches and instructors.