NTA holds fresher, refresher referee seminar

KOHIMA, JUL 16 (NPN): The Nagaland Taekwondo Association (NTA), in collaboration with the Department of Youth Resources and Sports (DYRS), organised the 4th Nagaland State Fresher and Refresher Referee Seminar from July 14 to 16 at Pele Khezhie Indoor Stadium, Kohima, as part of its preparations for the upcoming State Taekwondo Championship.
The three-day seminar witnessed the participation of 30 trainees from seven districts, including 25 coaches and five players. Among the coaches, nine were from Dimapur, four from Niuland, three from Chümoukedima, two from Kohima and one each from Tuensang, Shamator and Phek. The five players were from Wokha, Kohima and the Department of Youth Resources and Sports.
Speaking to Nagaland Post, head trainer, Black Belt 5th Dan, International Referee, Kukkiwon Certified International Master Taekwondo and Kukkiwon Poom/Dan Examiner, Theja Keretsü said the seminar was a much-needed initiative to equip referees ahead of the forthcoming state-level competitions.
He informed that the NTA would, for the first time in Nagaland, introduce the Electronic Scoring System (ESS) during the 36th Nagaland State Taekwondo Championship-cum-Under-14 School Games Federation of India (SGFI) event scheduled to be held from July 28 to 30 at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima.
Keretsü said the ESS would also be used during the Taekwondo Championship to be organised by the Department of Youth Resources and Sports in Dimapur in December.
He further stated that the best-performing trainees from the seminar would be selected to officiate as referees during the State Championship.
Joining the interaction, NTA secretary (Administration) Neitho Kuotsu said the association, in collaboration with the Department of Youth Resources and Sports, Government of Nagaland, would organise the 36th Kyorugi and the inaugural Poomsae Nagaland State Taekwondo Championship 2026, along with the Under-14 “Catch Them Young” Tournament, at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima, from July 28 to 30.
He informed that invitations had been sent to 17 organisations and district taekwondo associations, including Nagaland Police and the Department of Youth Resources and Sports, while the remaining participants would represent district taekwondo associations from across the state.
Kuotsu said each participating unit had been invited to field one player in each Kyorugi weight category and two players in each Poomsae category. He explained that the Kyorugi events would be conducted across eight weight divisions covering sub-junior, cadet, junior and senior categories, while the Poomsae competition would feature two age groups—under 14 years and above 14 years.
The seminar was assisted by Moon Thapa, Black Belt 5th Dan, International Referee and Kukkiwon Certified International Taekwondo Master.
National referees Sudipta Raj Konwar, Parameshwar Sonawal and Mintu Singha, all from Assam, served as resource persons for the Electronic Scoring System training.
Meanwhile, the NTA president Pele Khezhie expressed gratitude to DYRS director Kethosituo Sekhose for facilitating the hosting of major national taekwondo events in Nagaland for the second time, stating that such initiatives would generate greater enthusiasm and interest among the youth in the sport.
Khezhie said the ongoing seminar would help the association in building more qualified coaches who would be able to assist in state championships and other state level events across the state.