Bangalore: A National taekwondo clinic organised under the Olympic Solidarity Programme began at Sree Kanteerava indoor stadium here. The week-long programme is aimed at updating the Indian coaches with latest trends in the sport.
The World Taekwondo Federation has sent a Fifth Dan, Choi Se Min to supervise the course. “It is our effort to ensure that our coaches are exposed to latest trends and this programme would go a long way in helping them attain international standards”, said Praveen Kumar, Secretary General of the Taekwondo Federation of India.
About 50 coaches from all over the country are attending the meet and TFI is more concerned with quality of training in smaller centres, where there is enough interest but dearth of coaches had hampered its effort to popularise the sport in such centres.
“It is easy to train coaches than athletes, as they grasp the techniques much quicker and it also helps them to pass on that knowledge to their wards”, said the Korean trainer Choi Se Min.
The sessions are split into theory and on-court demonstrations with Korean trainer himself sparring with the Indian coaches. “We have so far gone through some of the principles governing offence and defence tactics and physical fitness. The trainees would be put through advanced techniques as the clinic progresses”, he added.
The trainer also emphasised on the need to participate in more international events. “It is through good competition that one can improve the skills, and that can be obtained only through better international exposure”, said Mr. Min.
The Karnataka Taekwondo Association, which is hosting the clinic, is among the more active associations on the National scene and it plans to hold a South Zone meet shortly.
Hindu Times
National taekwondo clinic begins
