Fifty athletes compete across ten teams as Kabul stages its 14th combat tournament and first-ever poomsae competition.
Kabul | by Taieb Khatizwal
The 14th edition of the national taekwondo combat championships, alongside the inaugural poomsae competition, has commenced in Kabul, marking a notable expansion of the sport’s competitive structure in Afghanistan.
Organized by the National Taekwondo Federation in cooperation with the General Directorate of Olympic, Physical Education and Sports, the event brings together 50 athletes from 10 clubs across Kabul. Participants are competing in various weight categories over a two-day period, covering both sparring (combat) and poomsae disciplines.
The inclusion of poomsae for the first time reflects an effort to diversify the technical scope of taekwondo competitions in the country, moving beyond combat-focused formats. At the conclusion of the tournament, top-performing athletes and teams will be recognized and awarded.
The competition, held to mark the conclusion of Ramadan, underscores ongoing efforts to promote taekwondo among younger age groups, particularly children and early youth categories. In a sporting environment where structured development pathways remain limited, such initiatives serve as critical entry points for talent identification and technical training. The introduction of poomsae also signals a gradual alignment with international standards, where both performance and technical precision are integral to athlete development.