KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 10

The Nepal Taekwondo Association is organising the 11th Korean Ambassador Open International Taekwondo Tournament from Tuesday.

A total of 1778 players from Nepal, India and Bangladesh will take part in the five-day tournament to be held at the Nepal Taekwondo Academy and Nepal Karate Academy at the International Sports Complex premises in Lalitpur, informed tournament convenor and vice-president of NTA Bhanu Bahadur Chand at a press meet on Sunday.

The tournament offers a total of 57 categories - 25 in poomsae and 32 in kyurogi. 'We are having international participation for the first time. A total of 68 players - 35 from Indian clubs and 33 from Bangladesh association - have confirmed their participation,' Chand added. He also said the best players would be provided with training and the selected ones will take part in the World Korean Ambassador Tournament later this year in South Korea.

NTA member and tournament secretary Bablu Siwakoti and coach Yeong Dal Kwon were also present on the occasion. Out of the total budget of Rs 6.5 million, South Korean Embassy in Kathmandu will provide the NTA with $5,000, while the organisers will get Rs 1.7 million from registration fees.

The NTA will bear the remaining amount of Rs 1.2 million. Korean coach Dal said he was satisfied with the number of participants. 'This is the first edition after coronavirus pandemic and we are hosting 1700-plus participants. We hope to grow in the days to come,' Dal said.

A version of this article appears in the print on September 11, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.