The 3rd Chenab Open Taekwondo Championships 2026 concluded on Saturday at the Indoor Sports Hall in Doda, bringing to a close a two-day sporting event that witnessed the participation of around 400 athletes, including nearly 200 girls, from 25 clubs affiliated with the Jammu and Kashmir Taekwondo Association across the Union Territory. District Doda emerged as the overall champion of the championship.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, the championship was organised by the Taekwondo Association of District Doda under the aegis of the Jammu and Kashmir Taekwondo Association and the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council. The event attracted athletes from multiple districts and featured competitions across various age and weight categories.
The closing ceremony was attended by Additional Superintendent of Police Mohd Aslam as the chief guest. Station House Officer Doda Tariq Ahmed, Assistant Executive Engineer Masood Zargar and Dr. Moien Shapoo were present as distinguished guests, while Danish Manzoor, Fit India Brand Ambassador, attended as a special guest. Addressing the gathering, the chief guest congratulated the organisers, technical officials, coaches, athletes and volunteers for successfully conducting the championship and encouraged young sportspersons to continue striving for excellence at higher levels of competition.
One of the major highlights of the event was the participation of nearly 200 girls from different districts of Jammu and Kashmir. Participants said that Taekwondo had helped them develop self-defence skills, confidence, discipline and physical fitness. They emphasised the importance of encouraging girls to participate in sports and martial arts, describing self-defence as an essential life skill that promotes awareness, courage and self-reliance.
In the overall standings, District Doda secured the Overall Champion Trophy. District Jammu finished as runners-up, while District Srinagar claimed the second runners-up position. The Active Participation Awards were jointly presented to District Poonch and District Baramulla. The Best Sportsman Spirit Awards were jointly awarded to District Udhampur and District Samba for demonstrating exemplary sportsmanship and team spirit during the championship.
The championship was headed by Taekwondo Association of District Doda President Junaild Ali Khan, along with Secretary Burhan Ud Din Khan, Vice President Irfan Malik and Joint Secretary Babar Mujahid. The event was technically supervised by international referee Atul Pangotra, who served as Tournament Director. A team of referees, officials and volunteers assisted in the conduct of the competition.
Another notable feature of the championship was the use of the electronic Protective Scoring System (PSS) in all matches. Organisers said the system enhanced transparency, accuracy and professional standards in scoring and officiating, providing athletes with a competitive environment aligned with modern Taekwondo practices.
Jammu and Kashmir Taekwondo Association President Rajesh Pangotra and General Secretary Ramesh Chander Sharma congratulated the organisers, officials and athletes on the successful completion of the championship. They also acknowledged the support extended by the Department of Youth Services and Sports and other stakeholders in ensuring the smooth conduct of the event.
The successful conclusion of the championship reflected the growing popularity of Taekwondo in Jammu and Kashmir and provided a platform for young athletes to showcase their talent, discipline and competitive spirit. Organisers said they would continue working to create more opportunities for athletes from the Union Territory to compete and progress at national and international levels.
The Chenab Times News Desk