The three-day Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Pakistan Open International Taekwondo Championship (G-1) Saturday started at Liaquat Gymnasium, Pakistan Sports Complex Islamabad with a colourful opening ceremony.

Federal Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) Dr Fhemida Mirza was the chief guest on the occasion. Patron-in-Chief, Pakistan Taekwondo Federation (PTF), Lt. Gen (Retd) Javed Iqbal Ramday, Korean Ambassador Suh Sangpyo, Sports Minister GB Raja Nasir, Director General, Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) Col (Retd) Asif Zaman, President South Asian Taekwondo Federation (SATF), President PTF Col (Retd) Wasim Ahmed and other officials attended the ceremony.

The diverse cultures of the different areas of the country were presented during the ceremony by the local artists that was applauded by the participants.

Over 550 players, officials, technical referees and judges from different countries are part of COAS Pakistan Open Taekwondo International Championship 2021. Besides hosts Pakistan, Afghanistan, Albania, Nepal, Jordon, Kazakhstan, Oman, Egypt, Iran, Turkey, Morocco, United Arab Emirates (UAE), El-Salvador, Croatia, and WT Refuge Team are in the fray for 16 gold medals.