Naga taekwondo trainer training youths to attain a positive life

KOHIMA - The martial art Taekwondo meaning “Way of the foot and fist” has a history of 2000 years.

In Nagaland a taekwondo trainer, is using his martial art skills to steer Naga youth towards a positive and constructive attitude towards life and society.

Deep Kumar, a 3rd Dan Taekwondo has also been imparting training to students in his academy ‘Faith in Action’ for past two decades.

Winner of many coveted national and international awards, Deep is an international referee as well.Faith in Action’ focuses on spreading awareness about issues like drug abuse, alcohol, crime, and terrorism and promotes peace and harmony through the medium of Taekwondo.

“Before it is quite different for martial arts to expose our talent. When we used to come out and expose our talent, people used to say that this is not good or they used to discourage it,” said Deep Kumar.

“It is not like that people give a lot of importance to sports and when we involve in sports we are automatically away from all bad things, it is very good and peaceful for younger generation,” he added.

Taekwondo trains students in self-defence and makes them mentally strong, builds self-esteem, and helps them focus and strengthens the ability to concentrate.

Deep Kumar currently trains 180 students of all ages.

“A student should be involved in many things. By being involved we have learned so many things from here physically, mentally and spiritually and grown from it. By being here we can also spread the gospel of god,” Hosheto, a student.

Nagaland has a lot of talent and with support from the government it can throw up many more grandmasters who can bring laurels to the nation. Government should encourage sports persons, those who are working hard and bringing fame to the state, so that by seeing the achievers, by bringing their performance, the upcoming generations also they will be encouraged,” Kumar said.

Deep Kumar’s academy ‘Faith in Action’ is affiliated to Taekwondo Association of India, and has Kumar was awarded the best coach at National Taekwondo Championship in 2002. By Peter Chachei (ANI)