CISCE National Taekwondo Tournament for Boys 2026 begins in Hyderabad
Hyderabad: The 7th CISCE National Taekwondo Tournament for Boys 2026 was inaugurated at International School, Shaikpet, Hyderabad, on Sunday, bringing together 299 young taekwondo athletes from 12 regions across the country for a four-day national-level sporting event.
Conducted as part of the Council’s National Games and Sports – 2026, A.P. & Telangana Region, the tournament will see participants compete in sparring (Kyorugi) across the Under-14 (U14), Under-17 (U17) and Under-19 (U19) divisions in standardised weight categories.
The inaugural ceremony was graced by Sri Kanumuru Raghu Rama Krishna Raju, Deputy Speaker of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly, as the Chief Guest, and Sri Suresh Chukkapalli, Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Hyderabad, as the Guest of Honour.
The ceremony commenced with the welcoming of the distinguished guests and an introduction to the programme, followed by a prayer song, ceremonial lighting of the lamp and a homage to Dr. Kakarla Subbarao. The institution’s rich legacy is being carried forward under the leadership of Board of Directors member Mr. Kakarla Sushrut. The legacy envisioned by Dr. Kakarla Subbarao continues through the institution’s commitment to providing quality education to future generations, nurturing their holistic development and enabling them to grow into productive, responsible and contributing citizens of the country.
The programme also featured a series of cultural performances celebrating India’s sporting spirit and the rich cultural heritage of Telangana. The school choir presented the Khelo India Anthem, while the invocation dance was performed to Pranavalaya. A vibrant folk presentation featuring a medley of Bonalu and Bathukamma songs showcased the cultural traditions of Telangana.
In her welcome address, the Principal of International School, Shaikpet, Mrs. V. Lakshmi, welcomed the distinguished guests, participating athletes, coaches, officials and other members of the gathering, and highlighted the significance of hosting a national-level taekwondo tournament at the school.
The ceremonial proceedings continued with the invitation of the distinguished guests to the dais, followed by the hoisting of the flags and the march-past of the participating teams. The athletes took part in the ceremony in a display of discipline, coordination and sporting spirit.
The taekwondo tournament was formally declared open by Chief Guest Sri Kanumuru Raghu Rama Krishna Raju. The declaration was marked by the release of balloons by the Chief Guest, symbolising the commencement of the national sporting event. The oath-taking ceremony, conducted in the presence of the Guest of Honour, reaffirmed the participating athletes’ commitment to fair play, discipline, sportsmanship and adherence to the rules of the tournament.
Chief Guest highlights deeper values of taekwondo
Addressing the gathering, Sri Kanumuru Raghu Rama Krishna Raju spoke about taekwondo as a Korean martial art that combines speed and agility and has earned a place on the Olympic stage since 2000. He appreciated the young participants for choosing taekwondo and expressed his delight at being invited to the event. He also commended the traditional performances presented during the ceremony and emphasised the importance of preserving and celebrating cultural heritage. Highlighting the connection between sport and culture, he encouraged the students to embrace participation and wished the young athletes success in the tournament.
Guest of Honour stresses role of sport in shaping young minds
Sri Suresh Chukkapalli, Guest of Honour, expressed his pleasure at being part of the event and spoke of taekwondo’s deep roots in Korean culture and tradition. He highlighted the role of sport and co-curricular pursuits in shaping well-rounded individuals, fostering qualities such as grace, discipline and compassion. Appreciating the school’s emphasis on academics alongside wider activities, he encouraged teachers and parents to support children in pursuing diverse interests and wished the participants success in the tournament.
Board of Directors member underscores discipline behind taekwondo excellence
Board of Directors member Mr. Kakarla Sushrut, in his address, welcomed the Chief Guest, Guest of Honour and other dignitaries and reflected on what taekwondo represents to the institution. He emphasised that excellence in taekwondo rests on two complementary dimensions — emotional discipline and physical discipline. While emotional discipline requires concentration, enhanced focus and adherence to rules, he described it as the driving force behind physical discipline. He explained that physical discipline encompasses muscle strength, stamina, reflexes, flexibility, agility and joint mobility, along with precise coordination between hand and foot movements. He congratulated the participating students and their coaches for their dedicated training and for bringing the young athletes to such a prestigious national platform.
The distinguished guests and other dignitaries were felicitated during the ceremony. The formal inaugural proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks.
Following the ceremony, the guests and members of the press and media had an opportunity to interact with the organisers and witness a taekwondo demonstration fight, showcasing the techniques and skills associated with the sport.
The tournament will continue until October 7, with athletes competing across the three age divisions. The event also provides an important opportunity for the participating athletes, as the top podium finishers at the national tournament will earn selection to represent the CISCE Board at the upcoming School Games Federation of India (SGFI) National School Games, as per the applicable selection process.
The four-day tournament provides a national platform for young athletes to demonstrate their sporting skills while fostering discipline, perseverance, physical fitness, confidence and sportsmanship.