Poonch , October 2, 2026– Taekwondo players from Poonch district have brought pride to the region by winning nine gold medals and one silver medal at the UT-level championship organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS) in Doda. The results have secured the winners a place at the 70th All India SGFI National Championship.
The championship brought together young athletes from across Jammu and Kashmir, who competed for the chance to represent the Union Territory at the national level. Poonch’s medal haul, nine golds and a silver from ten podium finishes, stands out for its sheer consistency. Almost every medal the team won was gold.
Qualification for the School Games Federation of India (SGFI) national championship is the real prize. The event is among the most important platforms for school-level athletes in the country, and it gives young players the chance to test themselves against the best from other states and Union Territories. For many of them, it will be their first experience of competing at that scale.
A district with a growing taekwondo culture
The result builds on an established tradition in Poonch. The district has produced strong performances in taekwondo in recent years and has previously won overall titles at UT-level inter-district competitions. Regular district championships and club activity have created a steady pipeline of talent, and local officials and associations have worked to give young players regular opportunities to compete.
That grassroots base has made a visible difference. Players who gain match experience early tend to handle pressure better at higher levels, and the success in Doda shows the benefit of a system that identifies and nurtures talent at the local level.
Credit to the coach and support system
The achievement owes much to the work of the players’ coach, whose guidance and training shaped the team’s preparation. Taekwondo demands discipline, fitness, technique and mental strength, and these qualities are built through months of patient training. Parents, teachers and local sports officials have also played a part by supporting the athletes and ensuring they get the facilities and encouragement they need.
Congratulations have poured in for the players and their coach, with many in Poonch describing the results as a proud moment for the district.
Sport as a path for young people
For a border district like Poonch, success in sport carries special meaning. It gives young people a constructive outlet, builds confidence and shows that talent can emerge from any corner of Jammu and Kashmir when opportunity is available. Martial arts such as taekwondo also teach respect, self-control and perseverance, values that stay with students well beyond the competition mat.
Sports administrators say such results can inspire more children to take up the sport. When peers win medals and qualify for national events, it often encourages other students and families to see sport as a serious path rather than a pastime.
The road to the nationals
The next challenge for the qualifiers will be to prepare for the national championship. The standard of competition will be much higher, and players will need to sharpen their technique, improve fitness and gain more exposure through practice bouts. Continued support from the Department of Youth Services and Sports, the sports council and local associations, including help with training, equipment and travel, will be important in giving them the best chance.
If the Doda results are any guide, the Poonch players have the skill and determination to make an impression. For now, the district can celebrate a memorable performance and look ahead to seeing its young athletes represent Jammu and Kashmir on the national stage.
