Three Ladakhi Taekwondo players shortlisted for SGFI trials

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

KARGIL, Aug 28: Three female Taekwondo athletes from Ladakh have been shortlisted for the School Games Federation of India (SGFI) selection trials for the Indian U-18 Taekwondo team for the ISF Gymnasiade 2026, scheduled to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from December 3 to 8.

The shortlisted athletes are Shabnam Zahra (55-59 kg), Fiza Banoo (44-46 kg) and Samana Batool (42-44 kg). They will participate in the centralized selection trials at Raipur, Chhattisgarh, on September 14 and 15, with reporting and registration on September 13.

President of the Ladakh Taekwondo Association, Gulzar Hussain Munshi, described the achievement as a proud moment for Ladakh and said the selection trials would provide the athletes an opportunity to compete for a place in the Indian contingent for the prestigious international school sports event.

Munshi said Ladakh had represented at the SGFI level last year in selected weight categories and expressed confidence that greater participation across eligible categories could help more athletes qualify at national and international levels.

He also thanked the Government of India for establishing the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centre at Kargil, saying it has played an important role in nurturing young sporting talent through professional coaching and training facilities.

The Association President appreciated the efforts of SAI Taekwondo coaches Mohd Ali, Parveen Kumar and Sadiq Ali, along with Centre In-charge Ghulam Mustafa, for mentoring the athletes.

The SGFI trials will be conducted to finalize players for the ISF Gymnasiade 2026, subject to prescribed eligibility and documentation requirements.