Dhaka, December 25: Grand Master Raju Chhetri, Vice Chairman of the International Committee at World Taekwondo Headquarters (Kukkiwon), has successfully led a three-day Black Belt Dan Promotion Test and Referee Training Seminar in Dhaka, Bangladesh, further strengthening sporting ties between Nepal and Bangladesh.

The event, held from December 21 to 23 at the Bangladesh National Covered Hall, was organized by the Bangladesh Taekwondo Federation (BTF) under its Ad-Hoc Committee. It saw enthusiastic participation from approximately 150 individuals, including national-level players from Bangladesh Police and Bangladesh Ansar forces.

Mr. Chhetri was invited by Bangladesh’s Ministry of Youth and Sports and nominated by Kukkiwon to conduct the program. Key BTF officials present included Ad-Hoc Committee President Major General Md Habib Ullah, Vice President Md Hasanuzzaman Khan, General Secretary Lt Col Mohammad Ershadul Hoque, National Coach Kamruzzaman Chanchal, and board member Arif Rabbani.

On the closing day (December 23), certificates were distributed to participants by Nepali Ambassador to Bangladesh Ghanshyam Bhandari and Bangladesh Olympic Association Director General A B M Shefaul Kabir.

Ambassador Bhandari highlighted Chhetri’s global contributions to taekwondo and praised the martial art as a bridge fostering discipline, respect, and friendship between the youth of Nepal and Bangladesh. He reaffirmed Nepal’s commitment to supporting taekwondo development across Bangladesh’s 64 districts through training exchanges, referee development, and joint initiatives.

The following day, Ambassador Bhandari hosted Chhetri and BTF officials at the Nepali Embassy in Dhaka, once again assuring full cooperation in expanding the sport nationwide.

Grand Master Raju Chhetri, a prominent Nepali taekwondo figure and honorary citizen of the Republic of Korea, has an illustrious career. He won gold at the 2008 G-2 Korean Open, served as an international referee at events including the US Open (three times), Kimunyong Cup, Japan Open, and 2023 Seongnam Open. In April 2025, he made history as the first non-Korean appointed to a vice-presidential role at Kukkiwon.

This seminar underscores growing Nepal-Bangladesh collaboration in sports, with taekwondo playing a key role in cultural and diplomatic exchange. BTF officials expressed gratitude to Chhetri for his expertise and leadership in elevating standards for Bangladeshi practitioners.