As KCCI expands Taekwondo education across India, 3195 students across 45 schools enroll for new batch

– Since 2021, Korean Cultural Centre India has introduced Taekwondo classes in 116 schools, reaching 9,000 students

– In 2024, KCCI signed an MOU with India Taekwondo to expand the reach of Taekwondo within the country

In a significant move to strengthen cultural and sporting ties between India and Korea, a new batch of Taekwondo classes began for 3,195 students in 45 schools across India earlier this week. These classes will be conducted in 13 schools in Delhi, 6 in Uttar Pradesh, 8 in Haryana, 4 in Maharashtra, 4 in Punjab, 4 in West Bengal, 3 in Uttarakhand, and one school each in Mizoram, Manipur, and Karnataka.

Korean Cultural Centre India (KCCI) has been actively promoting Taekwondo education in Indian schools since 2021. Between 2021 and 2024, Taekwondo classes were held in 116 schools across India, engaging over 9,000 students. In 2024, KCCI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with India Taekwondo, the official governing body for the sport in the country, to expand the reach of Taekwondo into regional areas.

Taekwondo, a Korean martial art known for its dynamic use of hand and foot techniques, is accessible to all ages and can be practiced anywhere without specialised equipment. It first gained global recognition as a demonstration sport at the 1988 Seoul Olympics and became an official Olympic discipline at the 2000 Sydney Games. Today, Taekwondo is practiced and celebrated worldwide, contributing to the global appeal of K-Sports.

Namdev Sampat Shirgaonkar, President of India Taekwondo said, “We would like to build on our current achievements and therefore our focus is on elevating Indian Taekwondo’s presence in major international competitions. We are preparing intensively for the 2025 World Taekwondo Championships in Korea and setting our sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.”

The partnership between KCCI and India Taekwondo aims to not only promote Taekwondo at the grassroots level but also nurture elite athletes and ensure the sport’s sustainable development in India. Together, the two organisations are working to deepen cultural connections and inspire a new generation of Indian athletes through the discipline and spirit of Taekwondo.

Hwang Il Yong, Director of Korean Cultural Centre India, said, “We are committed to strengthening the identity of Taekwondo in India by providing both technical expertise and institutional support. Our goal is to make Taekwondo an enjoyable, accessible sport for all generations, while reinforcing its values through structured education and training.”