Assam to Host Taekwondo Talent Identification Program in 2026
Exciting Taekwondo Initiative in Guwahati
Guwahati (Assam) [India], December 22: A significant advancement for sports in the North-East is on the horizon as the Directorate of Sports & Youth Welfare (DSYW) of Assam, in partnership with the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS), is set to conduct a Taekwondo Talent Identification & Masterclass Programme at Sarusajai Stadium from January 17 to 23, 2026.
This week-long event aims to discover, nurture, and fast-track Taekwondo talent throughout Assam and the North-East, creating a structured pathway for athletes to excel in national and international competitions.
Nandita Gorlosa, the Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare in Assam, expressed, “This initiative showcases Assam's commitment to equipping coaches and athletes with essential knowledge, training, and support to achieve lasting success in sports. We are dedicated to fostering a robust sports future not just for Assam but for the entire nation, and initiatives like this bring us closer to that vision.”
Leading this pioneering initiative will be two esteemed Taekwondo champions: Jade Jones, a two-time Olympic Champion and World Champion, alongside Achab Jaouad, a World and European Champion. Their vast experience from competing at elite levels will be invaluable.
Jade Jones shared her enthusiasm, stating, “I am thrilled to be part of this initiative. India has immense talent, and with the right support, many athletes can reach the pinnacle of their sport, including the LA Games. I am eager to collaborate with IIS on a program that emphasizes proper athlete development from an early age.”
Their participation will ensure Olympic-level standards, providing elite tactical and technical insights, as well as international athlete evaluation benchmarks.
The event will unfold in two phases, starting with the Talent Identification segment on January 17 and 18, 2026. This phase will concentrate on identifying promising young female athletes through structured fight evaluations, physical screenings, and technical assessments.
Following this, the Taekwondo Masterclass will take place from January 19 to 23, 2026, offering a five-day intensive training program for both male and female athletes. This masterclass will cover essential aspects of the sport, including technical skills, tactical knowledge, physical conditioning, and competition readiness.
This initiative represents a crucial step in enhancing Taekwondo development in Assam and the North-East, contributing to India's long-term goal of establishing a sustainable pipeline of future international and Olympic-level athletes.
This event is part of IIS Taekwondo's Fighting Chance program, a talent search initiative led by High-Performance Director Gary Hall, aimed at identifying talented female martial arts athletes and guiding them towards an Olympic podium finish at the LA 2028 Games.
Gary Hall is renowned for revolutionizing Great Britain's Taekwondo program, transforming it from a limited, underfunded system into one of the most successful high-performance models worldwide. His collaboration with GB Taekwondo has resulted in 10 Olympic medals, 4 Paralympic medals, and over 70 European podium finishes.