Korea Culture Centre India hosts a Two-Day Seminar on Taekwondo Leadership in New Delhi

New Delhi. The Korean Cultural Centre India (KCCI) organized “2024 Seminar for Taekwondo Leaders in All Regions of India,” a two-day event in New Delhi, scheduled on 20- 21 Dec. This seminar aimed to explore and develop systematic strategies for the promotion and advancement of Taekwondo throughout India. The event brought together Taekwondo leaders from across the nation to share insights, strategies, and best practices for the sport’s growth and development.

Since 2021, KCCI has been actively supporting Taekwondo classes in Indian schools. In 2024, the Centre expanded its outreach efforts, resulting in 4,039 students from 48 schools and 66 classes participating in Taekwondo lessons—more than double the 1,530 participants in 2023. This significant growth highlights the rising interest and engagement in Taekwondo across the country.

To meet the growing demand of Taekwondo, the seminar was organized, bringing together secretaries general and chairman of Taekwondo associations (IT, TFI, CBSE, SAI, KTMA, DELHI UNIV), association leaders, and school instructors to expand Taekwondo beyond the Delhi region to all states of India. During this seminar, participants discussed regional Taekwondo instructor training, operational strategies for associations, and development plans for various Taekwondo programs, such as Kukkiwon-affiliated initiatives and Poomsae competitions. This will unite distinct Taekwondo organizations to strategically promote Taekwondo with a shared focus across India.

Notable dignitaries included Sanjay Saraswat, former Deputy Director General of the Sports Authority of India; Namdev Shirgaonkar, president of India Taekwondo; and Grandmaster Jimmy R. Jagtiani, founder of the Taekwondo Federation of India. The India Taekwondo and the Taekwondo Federation of India came together at the seminar for the first time, marking a historic moment in India Taekwondo and showcasing a strong commitment to collaboration.

In a significant step forward, the Kukkiwon, under the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, plans to establish an India brunch in 2025. This office will provide organized and systematic support for the development of Taekwondo in India.

Hwang Il Yong, Director of the Korean Cultural Centre India, stated, “The Korean government has consistently supported the growth of Taekwondo in India. I encourage everyone here to show the power of unity and collaboration that can propel Indian Taekwondo forward. I hope to see unified strength and innovative ideas to make ‘Make India Taekwondo’ a reality”