The Union Taekwondo Academy has felicitated its International players and the squad who recently claimed 16th Governor's Cup Champion title at a function held at TS Paul Women's College, Manipur on Sunday.

MAHUD and RD and PR minister, Yumnam Khemchand and Naoriya Pakhanglakpa legislator, S Kebi Devi along with secretary to the governor Bobby Waikhom attended the felicitation programme.

The UTA International players who were feted on the occasion are Sapam Nancy Devi of Singjamei, who had participated n 2nd Asaian Cadet Taekwondo Championship 2017 at Ho-Chi-Minh city; Nongdaren Khaba of Khagempalli Pankha in World Taekwondo Poomsae Championship 2018 at Chinese Taipei and Asian Junior Taekwondo Poomsae at Jordan; and Priyadarshini Mayengbam of Keishamthong Thangjam Leirak in 3rd Asian Cadet Kyorugi and Poomsae 2019 at Jordan and World Taekwondo Cadet Championship at Tashkent in 2019.

UTA players who bagged gold medals in the recently concluded Governor's Cup are Kelvin Yumnam, Robinson Kongjengbam, Priyadarshini Mayengbam, Ch Jayaroy Chanu, Th Inaobi Devi, Laishram Nonglei, Priyangka Leitanthem, I Chingkheinganbi, M Sanahal, Ranbir Moirangthem, Maibam Tolika, Binita Laishram and M Pareihanba.

The UTA units collected 13 Gold, 19 Silver, 31 Bronze medals from the Governor's Cup.

MAHUD minister Y Khemchand while appreciating the achievement of UTA also urged to keep pace with changing and developing scenarios of Taekwondo worldwide, to attain further height and glory. “At one point of time, we were unstoppable in the disciplines but as many states and countries have made advancement, and even qualifying for International or Olympic Games had become very difficult due to the stiffness in competition. So learn well, work hard with even greater zeal to reach the goal,” he said.