Sparring with Taekwando: Children earn their belts and confidence

A mother always enjoys spending time with her children. But learning something together is double the fun, especially if it is something interactive and hands-on like the martial arts Taekwando, the art of Korean self-defence.

Tanjila got inspired to enroll in martial arts classes on seeing how it had made her children disciplined and confident.

She is now training to achieve the green-yellow belt.

“ If I can pass four more steps, I will achieve the black belt.” Tanjila said.

Her son Safa and her daughter Sara have been learning Taekwando for a year. Safa is a student of class five and Sara is in class three.

Many children come to the Sultana Kamal Krira Complex in the Dhanmondi area of Dhaka to learn Taekwando– and enjoy the training. 

Originating in Korea, the traditional art of Taekwondo has evolved into an international sport in recent years. It became popular in Bangladesh and is currently taught in around 100 educational institutions at Dhaka under the supervision of the Bangladesh Taekwondo Federation.

The journey of Taekwondo started less than a decade ago, under active programs and untiring efforts of the federation. It has become an important sports federation and attained national and international reputation to establish itself as a vital sporting event.

The journey in Taekwondo starts with the white belt. A student has to advance nine levels to achieve the black belt. To become a master in Taekwondo, you have to complete nine additional levels after the black belt. The learners pay Tk 500 a month. It takes at least three months to complete each level.

Participation of various district teams, associations, clubs, Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Border Guards, Bangladesh Ansar and VDP team gave Taekwondo a new life in Bangladesh.

Undoubtedly that is marked as a special success for the Bangladesh Taekwondo Federation, according to the federation’s website.

With the overall support from the Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA), Taekwondo students have drawn attention of all by participating in national programs and events. The success is certainly one of the best achievements of Taekwondo family.

Along with Taekwondo, Karate is also becoming popular with martial art students. In the city’s Eskaton Garden area, Bangladeshi film star Rubel runs one such training centre for many years now. This school attracts a good number of students.