Bangladesh Taekwondo Federation is all set to arrange three-day long inter-district poomsae taekwondo competition from Thursday at the National Sports Council gymnasium, which is the first official sports event in the country after around five months of postponement due to Covid-19 pandemic.
Government recently lifted restrictions on sports activities in the country, and BTF took no time to grab the opportunity.
The competition is to be participated by around 200 players from 19 teams, including 14 districts and five club and services teams.
It features 12 categories in junior and senior sections, with the junior group starting from the age of eight.
“The competition was intended for district teams only but some service teams and clubs also showed interest to participate, so we decided to include them later,” said federation’s general secretary Mahmudul Islam Rana.
“Online practice sessions were held in the last three months to keep them fit during corona. We participated in one virtual tournament titled ‘Heroes Taekwondo Virtual International Championship 2020'."
Five athletes from Bangladesh – Kamrul Islam, Nuruddin Hossain, Shishir Ahmed, Ruma Khatun and Noor Nahar - participated in the virtual event held from August 8-9, organized by a Thai club, alongside 600 players from 40 countries and 100 taekwondo teams.
The GS also said they will not allow any spectators in the gymnasium, and all participants must follow the strict health guidelines.
The federation will hold two virtual poomsae competitions - 1st Bangladesh Virtual Open Taekwondo Poomsae Championship from September 6-7 and 1st Bangladesh Taekwondo International Poomsae Live Championship from October 3-4.
The State Minister for Youth and Sports Jahid Ahsan Russel MP is scheduled to inaugurate the event as chief guest, while executive director and head of games of Walton Group, FM Iqbal Bin Anwar Dawn will be present as special guest.
Walton Refrigerator is the title sponsor of the tournament.