Kargil, Aug 28 (KNO): The Ladakh Taekwondo Association has expressed pride over the shortlisting of three female Taekwondo athletes from the region for the School Games Federation of India (SGFI) selection trials.
According to the details available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) the trials are being held 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, 2026.
The shortlisted Ladakh athletes are Shabnam Zahra in the 55–59 kg category, Fiza Banoo in the 44–46 kg category and Samana Batool in the 42–44 kg category. The three athletes will participate in the centralized selection trials scheduled at Raipur, Chhattisgarh, on September 14 and 15, 2026, with reporting and registration on September 13, said an official.
President of the Ladakh Taekwondo Association, Gulzar Hussain Munsh while talking to KNO said, “It is a proud moment for Ladakh Taekwondo that three of our girls have been shortlisted for the SGFI selection trials. This is a great opportunity for our players to showcase their talent at the national level and aspire to represent India at the ISF Gymnasiade in Brazil.”
He said Ladakh had represented at the SGFI level last year in selected weight categories and expressed confidence that if opportunities are provided to Ladakh athletes across all eligible weight categories, more players from the Union Territory can emerge at the national and international level.
Munshi expressed his gratitude to the Government of India for establishing the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centre at Kargil, saying, “The Centre has been instrumental in nurturing young sporting talent and producing athletes capable of competing at national-level platforms. The Centre has provided our young athletes with professional coaching, training facilities and an opportunity to develop their talent. The success of these players demonstrates the importance of such institutions in a region like Ladakh”
The President also placed on record his appreciation for the dedicated efforts of the SAI Taekwondo coaches Mohammad Ali, Parveen Kumar and Sadiq Ali, along with SAI Centre In-charge Ghulam Mustafa, for their contribution towards nurturing and mentoring the athletes.
He said the commitment and hard work of the coaches, along with the support of parents and the sporting community, has played an important role in helping young athletes from Kargil reach higher levels of competition.
Munshi thanked the UT Administration of Ladakh, particularly the Youth Services & Sports Department, UT Ladakh, for providing opportunities to young sportspersons from the Union Territory to participate in SGFI competitions and represent Ladakh at national platforms.
He said continued participation in national competitions is essential for giving athletes exposure, confidence and experience, while also creating a pathway towards international representation.
Munshi congratulated Shabnam Zahra, Fiza Banoo and Samana Batool, their parents and coaches on their achievement and wished them success in the selection trials.
He also called upon young boys and girls across Ladakh to take up sports with dedication and discipline, saying that the growing achievements of Ladakh’s sportspersons demonstrate that with proper training, institutional support and opportunities, the youth of Ladakh can compete with the best in the country and bring laurels to the Union Territory and the nation.
Meanwhile, the SGFI has stated the shortlisted athletes are required to fulfil mandatory eligibility and documentation requirements, including a valid passport and registration through the NSRS Portal—(KNO)