Kathmandu. All the preparations have been completed for the ‘Kathmandu International Virtual Taekwondo Poomsae Championship’ to be held on the 7th and 8th of November. Competition Coordinator Kumar Lama Ghising has informed that all preparations had been completed for the grand international championship to be organized in Nepal for the very first time. 362 players from 19 countries, including Nepal, will compete in the championship.

A total of 190 players from Nepal and remaining players from other countries will be participating in the championship as stated by Lama. “Even in the difficult situation at present, the players have shown an encouraging turnout,” he mentioned.

Participants from Hong Kong, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar, Macau, Suriname, Thailand, Mexico, Australia, Japan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Timor, United Kingdom, South Korea, the Philippines and Cambodia have been confirmed to participate in the championship, mentioned the Public Relations Manager, Kaviraj Negi Lama.

Players who have registered for championship are required to submit a two-minute video by Friday. The video received will be evaluated by the international referee on Saturday and Sunday, while the winner will be announced on 9th November, Monday.

The championship is being organized with the joint initiative of the United Taekwondo Dojang, Sitapaila Taekwondo Dojang, Sagarmatha New Baneshwor Taekwondo Dojang and Pingla Taekwondo Dojang. The Under-10, Under-12, Under-14, Under-17, Under-21, Under-29, Under-40, Under-50 and over 50 age-groups will compete in the championship. The same age group has been fixed for both men and women. There are separate rules for each age group.

The videos received will be uploaded on YouTube and the video with the most views will receive a prize of 200 US Dollars as the most liked video. Similarly, the best female and male players will receive a prize of 100 US Dollars. The competition is estimated to cost Rs. 1.1 million. As per the competition Coordinator Ghising, the money saved from the championship will be spent on the treatment of those affected by COVID-19.

Former national players have also helped in the successful conduct of the championship. Former national Taekwondo players, Rashtra Rai, Deukaji Gurung, Ravin Kumar Nalbo, Pradip Vyanjankar and others have also pledged their support, Ghising stated.