KARGIL: Taekwondo players at the Atul International Taekwondo Academy in Kargil marked Teachers’ Day by honouring their coaches and mentors and reflecting on the role of sports in building discipline and character among young athletes.
The programme was held at the academy in Biamathang and was led by its coach and international player Zeeshan Mehdi.
General Secretary of the Ladakh Taekwondo Association, Anayat Ali, attended the programme as Chief Guest. International players Shahnaz Parveen and Sonam Chospal, along with academy players, were also present.
Addressing the gathering, Ali urged the young players to carry the principles learnt through Taekwondo into their everyday lives.
He said Taekwondo should not be viewed merely as a competitive sport, but as a discipline that promotes respect, perseverance, self-control and a sense of responsibility.
Ali also encouraged the players to set purposeful goals and work towards making a positive contribution to society.
Referring to Chief Coach and Mentor Grandmaster Atul Pangotra, he asked the players to draw inspiration from his contribution to Taekwondo and youth development and to pursue their own goals with commitment.
The programme also underlined the role of coaches and mentors beyond technical training, particularly in shaping the conduct, personality and character of young athletes.
The celebration highlighted the teacher-student relationship within sports and acknowledged the contribution of coaches and mentors in guiding young players both on and off the sporting field.
