Indian team likely to be cleared for Asian Taekwondo Championships

Vinayak Padmadeo

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 12

There is some good news for the Indian taekwondo team. It is likely that the same team that represented India at the 2019 South Asian Games will be allowed to participate in the Asian Taekwondo Championships to be held in Beirut, Lebanon, from March 4.

In a submission in the Delhi High Court, the Indian Olympic Association, pointing out shortage of time, made the suggestion.

The IOA counsel added that the world taekwondo body only recognises India Taekwondo as the registered body and hence the players will only be allowed to participate if India Taekwondo registers the players for the said championships.

India Taekwondo counsel then submitted before the court that it was willing to register the players. He added that India Taekwondo was willing to raise the necessary funds for sponsoring the players and not seek funding from the Union Government.

A final order in this regard is expected on Thursday.

The sport has been riddled with faction fights, both within the national body as well as in its state affiliates. And because of this, the Taekwondo Federation of India was derecognised by Sports Ministry. The IOA then appointed a five-member ad hoc committee under the chairmanship of Namdev Shirgaonkar to run the affairs of the sport. Shirgaonkar-led India Taekwondo has since been recognised as a member by World Taekwondo as well as by the IOA.