Inter-school Taekwondo Poomsae Championship begins at DPS Gangtok

HEMIKA NAG

GANGTOK, : The DPS Inter-School Taekwondo Poomsae Championship 2026, organised by Delhi Public School (DPS) in collaboration with Sikkim Amateur Taekwondo Association (SATA), began here on Friday with participation from schools across the region.

The championship is being organised as part of National Sports Day celebrations commemorating hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand.

The event brought together young athletes, coaches, officials and sporting enthusiasts, with students competing in individual, pair and team Poomsae categories.

The participating institutions included DPS, Paljor Namgyal Girls' School, Amitabha School, Tashi Namgyal Academy, Manjusri Public School, Jack and Jill School, Greendale Senior Secondary School, Prashanti Vidya Mandir School, St. Thomas School, United Taekwondo Dojang, Chief Minister Model School, MCM Dojang, Little Pixies School, GTA, Tadong Senior Secondary School, Baha’i School, Grace Academy, St Xavier's School and Sai Gurukul Academy.

The opening ceremony was attended by Education director A.D. Chettri as the guest of honour, who formally declared the championship open.

DPS principal Ravi Varma, SATA executive member Dipen Rai and headmistress Dolly Pandey were among those present, along with officials of SATA, teachers, coaches and students.

Addressing the participants, Chettri urged the young competitors to approach the championship with confidence, determination and a spirit of fair play.

He said taekwondo was more than a sport and promoted discipline, resilience and hard work. He also appreciated the school's efforts to encourage sporting activities alongside academics.

The opening ceremony featured two dance performances by the school's dance department and a rendition of Vande Mataram by the music department. A pledge was also administered to the referees and participants.

Rai said the championship provided an important platform for young athletes to showcase their skills.

He said all gold medallists from the championship would be selected for the upcoming national inter-school championship scheduled to be held in December in Dimapur, Nagaland.

The opening day featured competitions in various Poomsae categories, with participants competing individually as well as in pairs and teams. 

A fitness challenge for interested students was also organised at the multipurpose court as part of the National Sports Day celebrations.

Participants in all categories were presented certificates after each session. The top three finishers in individual events and the top two pairs and teams were awarded medals.

The championship will conclude on August 30.