Celebrity coach and athlete, Atul Kumar Pangotra has been appointed coach at the upcoming Academy of Excellence in Taekwondo, established by the Department of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS) at sports hub of Khel Gaon in Nagrota, near here.

A qualified coach with Diploma in Sports Coaching (Taekwondo) from NS NIS, Sports Authority of India, Atul is also International Coach Level-2, World Taekwondo.

Presently, Physical Education Teacher (PET) with DYSS, Atul has got decades of experience of training youngsters in the UT of J&K.

Recipient of the J&K State Award and Sher-i-Kashmir Award for Outstanding Sportsperson (2014), Atul is a two-time Commonwealth Taekwondo medalist and five-time International Championship medalist.

Atul has produced hundreds of national medalists and 12 international players from J&K. Previously, on deputation with J&K Sports Council, Atul has trained youngsters at the district coaching centre Jammu.

Meanwhile, the DYSS has already completed the selection process for the upcoming Academy at Khel Gaon and the regular training classes are expected to start soon.

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