GUWAHATI: Five athletes from the Greater Guwahati Taekwondo Martial Arts Association (GGTMAA) have been selected to represent India at the World Taekwondo Poomsae Championship, to be held in Hong Kong from November 30 to December 4, 2024. The selected players, Harsha Singha, Naitik Suman Kalita, Saraswati Devi Kabrabam, Ireen Nobis, and Debdas Kumar Roy, face uncertainty in their participation due to financial constraints.
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In addition, three junior female athletes from Dibrugarh—Jigyasha Phukan, Bhargavi Sonowal, and Lenisha Narzary—have also been chosen to compete in the championship. Among the Guwahati athletes, Harsha Singha, who has previously brought honour to the nation by winning a silver medal in the Asian Games and gold in the South Asian Federation Games, will compete in both the Under-40 Individual and Group Poomsae events. Singha will team up with Ruthi from Mizoram and Sita from Assam Rifles in the group category.
Ireen Nobis and Debdas Kumar Roy are set to participate in the Senior Pair Under-30 category, while Naitik Suman Kalita will compete in the Male Cadet Individual event, as well as in the Pair event with Saraswati Devi Kabrabam.
Despite their selection and registration, the players have been asked to bear the costs of travel, accommodation, and meals by the National Taekwondo Federation, India Taekwondo. With expenses estimated at around ₹2 lakhs per player, financial constraints have become a major hurdle. The players and their families are struggling to meet the costs, which is jeopardising their participation in the prestigious tournament.
The GGTMAA has made a public appeal for financial support from the government, corporate sponsors, and sports enthusiasts to help the athletes fulfil their dreams and represent India on the global stage.
"Our players have proven their abilities and have the potential to bring further glory to our nation. We humbly request the community’s support in helping them overcome this financial obstacle," said Md Iquebal Ahmed, General Secretary of GGTMAA.