IIS, in collaboration with the Sports Authority of India, has launched a residential taekwondo programme in Bellary to develop Olympic-level athletes for Los Angeles 2028. The initiative brings 24 selected athletes after nationwide scouting, aiming to address India’s lack of medals in the sport through elite coaching, structured training and high-performance support systems supported by Innocean

Bellary: The Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS), in collaboration with the Sports Authority of India (SAI), has announced the launch of a residential taekwondo programme in Bellary aimed at developing athletes capable of competing for Olympic success.

The programme brings together 24 athletes - 12 men and 12 women, between the ages of 16 and 26, identified through an extensive nationwide scouting process. Designed as a high-performance pathway, the initiative will focus on preparing India’s top prospects for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

The programme has also been supported by Innocean, a Brand Experience Solutions company, which has backed IIS in getting the project off the ground and will continue to partially fund it over the next two years.

Despite growing participation in the sport, India is yet to secure a medal in taekwondo at the Olympic Games or World Championships. The programme has been established with the objective of bridging this gap by providing athletes with access to elite coaching, structured training, and world-class support systems.