Leh, Aug 9: The 1st Leh District Taekwondo Championship 2026 concluded at the Indoor Stadium, Leh, with the participation of more than 90 players from different parts of Leh district.

The championship marked another significant milestone in the development of Taekwondo in Ladakh and provided young athletes an opportunity to showcase their talent, discipline and competitive spirit at the district level.
Rehmatullah Bhat, KAS, Joint Secretary Protocols, Ladakh, was the Chief Guest, while Tsering Tashi, DYSSO Leh, and Gonbo Stobgyal, President, Bar Association Leh, were the Guests of Honour. Anayat Ali, General Secretary, Ladakh Taekwondo Association; Dr Syed Ali Shah; and Tsering Angmo, Secretary, Ladakh Football Association, attended the event as Special Guests. Advocate Touseef Ahmad, cyclist Lakzes Angmo, Taekwondo enthusiasts, parents, coaches and players were also present.
Speaking on the occasion, Anayat Ali highlighted the journey of Taekwondo in Ladakh, stating that the sport began developing in the region in 1999 with the formation of the Kargil Taekwondo Association. Since then, Ladakh Taekwondo has steadily progressed and produced athletes who have brought laurels to Ladakh as well as Jammu and Kashmir.
He highlighted that Taekwondo athletes from the region have received two Sher-e-Kashmir Sports Awards during the Jammu and Kashmir period and four State Awards in the Union Territory of Ladakh, which, it said, reflects the contribution of the sport in producing outstanding sporting talent.
Anayat Ali also recalled the achievements of athletes including Shehnaz Parveen, Tashi Tundup and Rinchen Yudol, who have brought recognition to Ladakh at national and international levels. It described the inaugural Leh District Taekwondo Championship as another important milestone in the history and growth of Taekwondo in Ladakh.
He expressed gratitude to DYSSO Leh Tashi Tundup, as well as Tashi Tundup and Mohammad Javed, for their support and efforts in organising the championship successfully at such a large scale.
Chief Guest Rehmatullah Bhat appreciated the efforts of the Ladakh Taekwondo fraternity in nurturing sporting talent and producing athletes who have earned recognition at national and international platforms. He emphasised the importance of sports in keeping youth engaged in constructive activities and said that sports can play a vital role in keeping young people away from drugs and other social and illegal menaces.
Earlier, the championship was inaugurated by Banu Prabha, Administrative Secretary, Youth Services and Sports, UT Ladakh, in the presence of Advocate Shafiq Lasoo, Chairman, Ladakh Taekwondo Association.
Later, the Chief Guest and other dignitaries presented medals, trophies and mementoes to the winning players, teams and other participants and guests.
In the championship, Ladakh Taekwondo Academy emerged as the Overall Winner, while Team Dragonchan secured the Overall Runner-up Trophy.
The organisers said the championship would further strengthen grassroots-level Taekwondo in Leh and provide emerging athletes with greater opportunities to compete, gain experience and represent Ladakh at higher levels.