Shillong, May 16: The Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Speaker Shri Thomas A. Sangma on Saturday attended the opening ceremony of the 2nd Meghalaya Open Taekwondo Championship and the 1st State Level Taekwondo Championship at Laban Sports Club.
The two-day event is organised by the All-Meghalaya Taekwondo Association. Hundreds of taekwondo athletes from Meghalaya, West Bengal, Assam, Sikkim, Nagaland and Mizoram are taking part in the championship.
Dignitaries present included Miss Sabitri Pradhan, 7th Dan Black Belt and Superintendent of Police, Sikkim Police Service, who is a Kyorugi International Referee, seven-time World Champion and South Asian Champion; Grandmaster Mr. Lee Wang Yong, 8th Dan Black Belt and India Taekwondo team coach from South Korea; Miss Suman Tamang, General Secretary of the Sikkim Amateur Taekwondo Association and National Gold Medalist; and Mr. Joseph Thansanga, General Secretary, Mizoram Amateur Taekwondo Association.
Speaking as Chief Guest, the Hon’ble Speaker revealed that he too was a taekwondo player in his youth, drawing applause from the audience. “Taekwondo is not only a sport but it is a way of life,” Shri Sangma said. He noted that taekwondo teaches discipline, integrity, and respect, and said he was glad to see participants ranging from young children to adults.
“There will be only a few winners, but there are no losers. You win or you learn,” he told the athletes. Shri Sangma added that Meghalaya is committed to promoting sports and giving youth opportunities to excel at state, national, and international levels. He urged athletes to learn from Miss Sabitri Pradhan’s achievements and said participating at this level is itself a victory.
The Speaker also commanded a demonstration bout, officially marking the inauguration of the championship. A Poomsae demonstration was presented by athletes of the All-Meghalaya Taekwondo Association.
At the championship, the arena lit up as toddlers stepped onto the mat with surprising confidence. Neatly dressed in crisp doboks, the young athletes bowed with focus and performed their routines to loud cheers from the crowd.
