Taekwondo rapidly gaining popularity in India

 

Says Grand Master Ahn Hak-Sun, Head, K-Tigers - the world’s best Taekwondo demonstration team

Indians taking to Taekwondo not just as an Olympic sport but also as an important fitness routine

Experts estimate there are over a million active Taekwondo practitioners in India

JSTARC to organize India’s largest Taekwondo event “JSTARC OPEN TAEKWONDO GAMES’09” in January 2009

“India is fast developing into a major contender in the international Taekwondo arena”, pointed out Grand Master Ahn Hak-Sun, Head, K-Tigers - the world’s best Taekwondo demonstration team. Grand Master Ahn Hak-Sun was in the city as part of a special event to promote the Korean Martial Art & Olympic Sport in the country.

Taekwondo is the National sport of South Korea and is the world’s biggest martial arts regimen. Many Indian schools and universities have extended support to promote Taekwondo in a big way across the country.

“Indians are becoming more health conscious and today are accepting and exploring new fitness regimens. This is evident as Indians are taking to Taekwondo not just as an Olympic sport but also as an important fitness routine. With over one million active Taekwondo practitioners in India, this is the right time to take the sport to new and better levels”, said Master Nilesh Jalnawala, CEO and Technical Director of Jalnawala’s Sports Training & Research Center (JSTARC).

JSTARC introduced “Modern Taekwondo” in India with the help of the very best in the World Taekwondo Order - K-Tigers. Founded in year 1990, by visionary Grand Master Ahn Hak-Sun, K-Tigers are the most advanced international Taekwondo demonstration team. K-Tigers are not only well-known in Korea but more widely known in United States, Europe, Middle East and in Asia.

JSTARC will organize “JSTARC OPEN TAEKWONDO GAMES’09” – the biggest Taekwondo event in India on January 9, 10 and 11, 2009 at Dr. D. Y. Patil Sports Academy Stadium, Navi Mumbai.

“We are extremely grateful to Mr. Vijay Patil, President, Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, who has extended tremendous support to make the collective dream of JSTARC a reality” commented Master Nilesh.

An International event format of Taekwondo with massive & unprecedented aura, the event will follow International standards of organizing games. A thirty to fifty member high level Korean delegation will be attending this event in January 2009 and conduct workshops and officiate the entire championship.

The event includes a National Invitational Championship; Indian cultural programs; Indo-Korean cultural exhibition; International certified workshops for Taekwondo practitioners and Non-Taekwondo Practitioners. There will be participation from over 2000 Taekwondo Practitioners; 600 School Kids from 100 schools and 400 Corporate working professionals. The event will have a direct reach of an estimated 15000 live spectators and an indirect reach of around 25 Lac.

The event is the first of the series of initiatives that JSTARC will undertake to popularize Taekwondo Culture. Post this event, JSTARC plans a Korean Tour for Taekwondo practitioners in April 2009 and a K-Tigers multi city tour in October 2009.

About JSTARC:
JSTARC is the pioneer institution in introducing Scientific Dojang Programs for all age groups suiting Indian audience. JSTARC’s core training program aims at overall development of individuals to involve traditional Korean & Indian values, Taekwondo Spirit & Etiquette, classroom programs on sports science & medicine. The institution conducts basic to advance seminars / workshops for Taekwondo practitioners and advance courses for Taekwondo Masters & Instructors. JSTARC plans to launch special workshop programs for corporate working professionals, housewives, security agencies, women self-defense in the near future.