Bhubaneswar: Sports Minister Chandra Sarathi Behera inaugurated the 3rd National Cadet Kyorugi & Poomsae Taekwondo Championship -2017 at East Coast Railway Indoor Stadium here on Friday.
The three days event is organised by Taekwondo Odisha and hosted by Taekwondo Federation of India to provide a large platform for the Taekwondo athletes from Odisha and prepare them for international events.
There are 12 weight categories in the championship. More than 600 contestants of below 12 years of age from 24 states are participating in the event along with 50 technical officials. Many modern equipment including electronic device in body guard is being used in this championship.
Talking to OTV, Chief Organiser of the event Jaikrushna Parida, said, “The championship is being held in age and weight category. The age of participants is below 12 years who are called cadet and there are divided into twelve weight categories."
The contestants who perform well in this championship will be selected in the Indian team to participate at international level.
Secretary of Taekwondo Odisha Santosh Mohanty informed that 520 members from 24 states have arrived here to participate in Kyorugi and nearly 200 in Poomsae.
"Big events are coming to Odisha one after another. After 22nd Asian Athletics Championship, 26 states are meeting at one place for which I will thank Odisha Taekwondo Association," said the sports minister Behera after inaugurating the championship.