The 69th National School Games (U-17 Boys & Girls) Taekwondo Championship concluded with a historic milestone for Arunachal Pradesh as the host state emerged as the overall national champion, outperforming Uttarakhand and Haryana in a highly competitive field.
The event was organised by the Directorate of Education – Sports Branch, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, in collaboration with the School Games Federation of India (SGFI), and hosted at the Khelo India Multipurpose Indoor Hall, Itanagar.
Arunachal secured an impressive tally of 4 Gold, 6 Silver, and 3 Bronze, topping the national table with 840 points. Uttarakhand (790 points) and Haryana (670 points) placed second and third respectively.
30-Day High-Performance Coaching Camp Fueled the Victory
Ahead of the championship, the Arunachal Taekwondo Association (ATA) organised a 30-day intensive coaching camp exclusively for the selected athletes. This camp was a major boost to the team’s preparation, as it integrated sports science and athlete support systems for the first time at this scale.
The camp was conducted in collaboration with the NE Sports Foundation, which provided: Sports physiotherapy support, Sports psychology and mental conditioning sessions and Technical and tactical refinement under expert Taekwondo coaches of ATA
This scientific approach significantly enhanced athlete readiness and contributed to Arunachal’s championship victory.
NEC’s ‘Rising Strong!’ Report Finds Confirmation
Just days earlier, on 28 November 2025, the North Eastern Council (NEC) released its regional assessment titled “Sports in Northeast India: Rising Strong!”, identifying the top three priority sports for all northeastern states.
For Arunachal Pradesh, Taekwondo was ranked as the No. 2 priority sport, after football. NEC highlighted that the Northeast was rapidly emerging as a sports powerhouse due to rising talent, better infrastructure, and proactive associations.
Arunachal’s national-level triumph now stands as a powerful validation of NEC’s vision.
The success has drawn widespread appreciation for the Arunachal Taekwondo Association, whose structured planning, scientific training methods, and emphasis on youth development have transformed the state into a national force in Taekwondo.
Officials noted that ATA’s preparation model—integrating sports science, long-duration camps, and athlete welfare—is exactly in line with what NEC projected for the region’s sporting future.
Northeastern States Show Rising Strength
The championship also saw commendable performances from other northeastern states:
- Assam (Rank 5): 1 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze
- Manipur (Rank 9): 3 Bronze
- Mizoram (Rank 14): 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
A Landmark Moment for Northeast India
Hosting the event successfully and winning the championship in front of a home crowd marks a turning point for Arunachal Pradesh and the entire Northeast. With coordinated efforts by the Directorate of Education – Sports Branch and ATA the state has set a new benchmark in athlete preparation and event management.
Arunachal Pradesh’s victory is more than a championship win—it is a testament to the Northeast’s rising confidence, capability, and commitment to becoming a powerhouse in Indian sports.
