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India Gazette
a day ago
- General
- India Gazette
'Taekwondo, facing the world': Exploring legacy, history of taekwondo at Korean Cultural Centre India
New Delhi [India], June 3 (ANI): A unique exhibition titled 'Taekwondo, Facing the World' was inaugurated at the Korean Cultural Centre India on Monday. Through the collection shared by the National Taekwondo Museum in Korea, this exhibition aims to shed light on the globalisation of Taekwondo through its evolution into a competitive sport. The opening ceremony was attended by Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to India, H.E. Lee Seong-ho; Sudhanshu Mittal, President, Kho Kho Federation of India and a senior BJP leader; Namdev Sampat Shirgaonkar, President, India Taekwondo; M S Tyagi, General Secretary, Kho Kho Federation of India; Dr Jyoti Arora, Principal, Mount Abu Public School and Jeong Sang-ki, Director, National Taekwondo Museum, a release said. This exhibition showcases the remarkable journey of how Taekwondo, a traditional Korean martial art, has evolved into a global sport practised in more than 200 countries. Taekwondo gradually developed into a systematic form through competition and integration between dojangs (training halls) after the Korean War, and it began to become competitive in the 1960s when it was adopted as an official event at the National Sports Festival. Then, in the 1970s, it spurred internationalisation through the World Taekwondo Championships. In the 1980s, it entered the international stage in earnest when it was adopted as a demonstration event in the Asian Games and the Olympics. In the 2000s, it was registered as an official Olympic event, and Taekwondo established itself as a global sport loved by people around the world. In recent years, the growth of Taekwondo in India has been phenomenal, with the country producing world-class athletes across all age groups. In May 2025, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports officially recognised India Taekwondo as the national sports federation responsible for governing the sport in India. This marks a significant milestone in the development of Taekwondo in the country. Korean Cultural Centre India has also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with India Taekwondo and is further enhancing training capacity through collaboration with Korean Taekwondo instructors. Korean Cultural Centre India has also been supporting Taekwondo classes in Indian primary and secondary schools since 2021, and as of 2025, a total of 3,287 students are learning Taekwondo through regular classes and after-school activities in 47 schools in 10 states and UTs, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra. As part of its collaboration with India Taekwondo, classes are gradually expanding throughout India, and Taekwondo is becoming an integrated education program that goes beyond a simple sport and combines school education and mental cultivation. Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to India, H.E. Lee Seong-ho, said, 'This exhibition celebrates the spirit and values of Taekwondo - discipline, perseverance, and self-control. I am especially happy to see the growing passion for Taekwondo among young people in India. What makes me even happier is that Indian athletes are already shining on the global stage. As we look ahead to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Korea is committed to supporting Indian athletes in their pursuit for medals through technical training, guidance from experienced Korean masters, and modern coaching methods. We will open a branch of Kukkiwon, the World Taekwondo Headquarters, in Delhi soon. With over 150 million practitioners worldwide, Kukkiwon will be a strong partner in helping Taekwondo grow in India and in training the champions of tomorrow.' Sudhanshu Mittal, President, Kho Kho Federation of India and a senior BJP leader, said, 'Taekwondo has grown in popularity by leaps and bounds because the game is a sheer delight. The speed, the reflexes, the agility, the holistic development of physical fitness is so critical in this game. To have spread this sport in over 200 countries is a great achievement. It's a great game and therefore it is also part of the Olympics. Every youngster wants to have these belts that are part of the sport. I was amazed by this exhibition and it was a great learning to know how Taekwondo has spread and become popular worldwide,' the release said. Namdev Shirgaonkar, President of India Taekwondo, said, 'India Taekwondo and the Korean Cultural Centre India share a deep and meaningful relationship. Together we have worked towards not only promoting Taekwondo in India, but also strengthening cultural bonds between our nations, Korea and India. This collaboration has already borne fruit. Our athletes have recently achieved commendable success in international events - World Championships and Asian Championships - standing tall on global platforms. Looking forward, I am confident that we can aspire to win more medals at World Championships and upcoming Asian Games in Japan. The future of Indian Taekwondo is very bright and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that the next generation has the support and inspiration they need,' it added. (ANI)
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Nigerian state in mourning after 22 die in road accident
Nigeria's Kano State declared Monday as a day of mourning after 22 people died in a road accident while returning from a sports festival in the south-west of the country. Athletes, coaches, officials, medical staff and a journalist were among the fatalities when a state bus carrying the team veered off the road and overturned around the town of Dakatsalle, approximately 40km from Kano, on Saturday. A further nine people were injured in the accident, while one person travelling on the bus did not sustain an injury. The contingent was making a journey of over 1,000km back from the National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State, which had concluded on Friday. Shehu Dikko, the chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission (NSC), said the accident marked "a very sad day for Nigerian sports". "We are heartbroken by this tragedy," Dikko added in a statement. "These were promising athletes and dedicated officials who had just served their state and country with pride. Their loss is immeasurable." The National Sports Festival, which marked its 22nd edition this year, is a key event in Nigeria's sporting calendar and is aimed at promoting unity, youth engagement and national development through athletics. The accident has cast a shadow over what had been a successful competition for Kano State, with the team collecting a total of 29 medals. BBC Sport Africa understands that some of the state's medal winners are among the deceased. Those injured in the accident are still receiving treatment at the Kura General Hospital south of Kano. Meanwhile, families of the deceased have begun making burial arrangements. "The families decided that they want to carry their dead bodies and go to the various communities and do the burial," Ibrahim Umar, the acting director of the Kano State Sports Commission, told BBC Sport Africa. "The government gave each of the families 1m naira ($632, £467) and gave them foodstuffs." Concerns over road safety in Nigerian sports have resurfaced following the crash. Long-distance road travel, often over distances of hundreds of kilometres, remains the only option for most because of inadequate air travel options and limited funding. Umar defended the Kano State Sports Commission's preparations for the trip, declaring that state buses are "in good condition" and that insurance is taken out for all athletes. The NSC has vowed to strengthen safety protocols for national sporting events in the wake of the accident. "This incident underscores the pressing need for a unified national policy on travel and welfare," Dikko's statement said. "Moving forward, it is now mandatory for all state contingents to have comprehensive insurance cover, and for all vehicles used for official purposes to be mechanically certified and fully insured. "These guidelines have been reiterated to all participating states and will be strictly enforced." The NSC also pledged continued support for the families of the victims and said a formal investigation into the crash is under way.
News24
2 days ago
- Health
- News24
Nigeria: Over 20 athletes killed in bus crash after festival
At least 21 athletes were killed on Saturday after the bus they were travelling on drove off a bridge in the northern Nigerian state of Kano, the state governor said. The athletes were returning home from the National Sports Festival that they had been participating in for the previous week in Ogun state, in the country's southwest. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf said that the driver of the bus appeared to lose control while crossing over the Chiromawa Bridge on the Kano-Zaria expressway. Several other passengers were injured in the crash. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said the accident may have been the result of 'fatigue and excessive speed' following a long overnight journey. Footage after the accident showed a mangled bus underneath a bridge. Athletes returning from Nigeria's National Sports Festival More than 30 passengers were on board at the time. The survivors were taken to a local hospital for treatment. Monday has been declared a day of mourning in Kano. The deputy governor, Aminu Gwarzu, said that the families of the victims would be given 1 million naira (around $630) as well as food supplies. The athletes had been representing their state in the festival which takes place every two years, allowing competitors from Nigeria's 35 states to take part in multi-sports events, including wheelchair basketball and traditional west African wrestling. President Bola Tinubu said of the festival that it represented 'the unity, strength and resilience that define us as a nation'. Poor road conditions and a casual enforcement of traffic rules make road accidents a common occurrence in Nigeria. The FRSC recorded 9 570 road accidents and 5 421 deaths in 2024.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Athletes, coaches and officials among 22 killed in road accident in northern Nigeria
Athletes, coaches and officials are among 22 people killed in a road accident in northern Nigeria as they returned from the country's National Sports Festival on Saturday, local authorities have said. Others were left 'seriously injured' by the accident, according to a statement issued by Kano's government office. The majority of the victims were young, it added. 'It is with a deeply saddened heart that I received the tragic news of the unfortunate incident which claimed the lives of 22 innocent citizens and left several others injured,' Abba Kabir Yusuf, governor of Kano State, said in the statement. 'On behalf of the government and the good people of Kano State, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. We mourn with you and share in your grief,' he continued. The accident was a 'lone road crash that might have occurred as a result of fatigue and excessive speed,' Nigeria's Federal Road Safety Corps said in a statement. The crash occurred at 12:30 a.m. local time Saturday (7:30 p.m. Friday ET), the statement said. The athletes killed in the crash were returning home after 'representing their state with distinction,' Nigeria's National Sports Commission (NSC) said in a statement posted to Instagram. The commission said it was 'deeply heartbroken' by the 'tragic road accident.' The victims 'carried the hope of a brighter future for our nation through their passion and commitment to excellence in sports,' NSC chairperson Mallam Dikko said. 'It is our duty to ensure such heroes are never forgotten.' Sports clubs including Kano Pillars, Kano's local soccer team, and the Nigeria Tennis Federation have also posted their condolences online. Nigeria's 22nd National Sports Festival was held in Ogun State in the southwest of the country, according to the NSC. After 11 days of events, the competition held its closing ceremony on Thursday, the NSC said. Monday will be a day of mourning for 'the good people of Kano to pray and sympathize with the families of the victims,' its governor announced.
DW
3 days ago
- Sport
- DW
Nigeria: Over 20 athletes killed in bus crash after festival – DW – 06/01/2025
A group of athletes was returning home from Nigeria's National Sports Festival when their bus veered off a bridge. At least 21 athletes were killed on Saturday after the bus they were traveling on drove off a bridge in the northern Nigerian state of Kano, the state governor said. The athletes were returning home from the National Sports Festival that they had been participating in for the previous week in Ogun state, in the country's southwest. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf said that the driver of the bus appeared to lose control while crossing over the Chiromawa Bridge on the Kano-Zaria expressway. Several other passengers were injured in the crash. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said the accident may have been the result of "fatigue and excessive speed" following a long overnight journey. Footage after the accident showed a mangled bus underneath a bridge. Athletes returning from Nigeria's National Sports Festival More than 30 passengers were on board at the time. The survivors were taken to a local hospital for treatment. Monday has been declared a day of mourning in Kano. The deputy governor, Aminu Gwarzu, said that the families of the victims would be given 1 million naira (around $630, €550) as well as food supplies. The athletes had been representing their state in the festival which takes place every two years, allowing competitors from Nigeria's 35 states to take part in multi-sports events, including wheelchair basketball and traditional west African wrestling. President Bola Tinubu said of the festival that it represented "the unity, strength and resilience that define us as a nation." Poor road conditions and a casual enforcement of traffic rules make road accidents a common occurrence in Nigeria. The FRSC recorded 9,570 road accidents and 5,421 deaths last year. Edited by: Darko Janjevic
