Sports Minister Rekha Arya inaugurated the 15th National Taekwondo Championship on Saturday at the Multipurpose Hall, Parade Ground, Dehradun. Organized by the Uttarakhand Sports Taekwondo Association, the championship features participation from over 300 players representing various states across India.
Speaking at the event, Rekha Arya emphasized the importance of making sports a part of daily life. She stated that developing a “sports card” — dedicating at least one hour daily to any field sport — can significantly reduce the need for health insurance cards like Health Cards, Ayushman Cards, and Golden Cards. Arya highlighted the importance of taekwondo for girls, noting its contribution to career building, fitness, and self-defense.
The Sports Minister also praised the remarkable performance of Uttarakhand’s players in taekwondo during the 38th National Games, stating that Uttarakhand is gradually emerging as a hub for the sport.
Former Governor and President of the organizing committee, Bhagat Singh Koshyari, encouraged the youth to connect with sports, citing the development of teamwork and discipline. The opening ceremony also featured impressive demonstrations by taekwondo teams from various states. Earlier, Rekha Arya and Bhagat Singh Koshyari launched the official championship t-shirt.
Prominent attendees included industrialists S. Farooq, Javed Khan, Hina Habib, and numerous players.
Sports Minister Inaugurates Secretariat Badminton Tournament
On the same day, Rekha Arya also inaugurated the Secretariat Badminton Club’s Annual Badminton Tournament 2025 at the Multipurpose Hall, Parade Ground. During the inauguration, she actively participated in a few rallies, stunning players with sharp shots.
Addressing the event, Arya lauded the Secretariat staff for consistently organizing sports competitions throughout the year, suggesting it serves as an inspiration for other departments. She mentioned that under the “Sports Legacy Program,” the state government plans to connect people of all age groups with sports to achieve the vision of a “Fit Uttarakhand.” Arya added that these competitions would be a vital link in realizing this goal.
Other dignitaries present included Sports Director Prashant Arya, Secretariat Badminton Club President Pannalal Shukla, Vice President Mahavir Singh Chauhan, Pramod Kumar, and JP Maikhuri.
