Budgam: The District Taekwondo Championship 2026 commenced at the Indoor Sports Stadium, Budgam, on Tuesday with the participation of 335 athletes from across the district.
The two-day championship, being held on September 22 and 23, is being organised by the Taekwondo Association of District Budgam in collaboration with the District Administration Budgam.
District Information Officer (DIO) Budgam, Mir Liyaqat Ali, inaugurated the event.
Officials said the championship will serve as the selection trial for the district team that will represent Budgam in the upcoming Union Territory-level Taekwondo Championship.
Addressing the participants, Ali appreciated the enthusiasm shown by young athletes and highlighted the role of sports in promoting discipline, dedication, perseverance and sportsmanship in addition to self-defence skills.
He encouraged youth to participate actively in sports and adopt healthy and constructive pursuits, saying such activities can help keep young people away from drug abuse and other negative influences.
Ali also acknowledged the efforts of the district administration in promoting sports and strengthening sports infrastructure in Budgam.
Principal Aspire World School Syed Farhan Quraishi attended the event as guest of honour. Social activists Hafeez Ullah Mir and Mudasir Ahmad Malik, along with coaches, sports officials, parents and athletes, were also present at the inaugural function.
