Performers Of Taekwondo 'Poomsae' Also Eligible For Sports Quota Govt Appointment : Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court recently upheld an order of the Kerala Administrative Tribunal (KAT) that found that Taekwondo Poomsae is also a recognized event for government appointments under the sports quota. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 428]
The Division Bench comprising Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice Muralee Krishnan dismissed the challenge made by the State (petitioners) against the KAT order granting relief to the applicant therein, a Taekwondo Poomsae champion.
The State government had issued a notification on February 18, 2021 calling for applications from outstanding sportspersons for employment during the period of 2015-2019. Taekwondo was also included in the list of sports events recognized.
The Court looked into the afore notification and remarked that nowhere was there any distinction drawn between Taekwondo Kyorugi and Poomsae:
“there is no differentiation made in between Taekwondo Kyorugi and Taekwondo Poomsae… no document has been produced…to show that a differentiation has been made between Taekwondo Kyorugi and Poomsae by the Sports Council of Kerala.”
Though the applicant before the KAT submitted an application through Kerala Sports Council Website, his name did not appear in the select list published in 2024. Though he submitted representation before the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs Secretary, the same was rejected stating that his certificate was unrecognized.
At this juncture, he approached the KAT stating that he is eligible for 35 points for his bronze medal in the National championship conducted by the Taekwondo Federation of India. He further pointed out that he received financial assistance, cash award, and other supports by the Kerala Sports Council.
He also produced documents evidencing recognition of the sports, the grands provided to it, selection of his teammates into postal department as well as his participation in the competitions. The KAT allowed the application and directed the State to consider including the applicant's name in the select list.
Challenging the order, the State and its authorities have approached the High Court. It was argued that only Taekwondo is recognized as an eligible sport and the same does not include Taekwondo Poomsae. The Kerala Sports Council also sailed along with the averments made.
The applicant contended that there is no differentiation between Taekwondo and Taekwondo Poomsae and relied on a 2023 judgment of the Manipur High Court to canvass the afore point.
After hearing the parties, the Court looked into judgments, which laid down that under Article 227 of the Constitution, the High Court has only supervisory jurisdiction over findings recorded by a tribunal and it can only correct orders passed in grave dereliction of duty or flagrant abuse of fundamental principles.
Since there were no documents produced to show that Taekwondo Kyorugi and Taekwondo Poomsae were different or the latter was excluded, the Court felt that there was no justification for not including the applicant in the select list. It opined that KAT had rightly decided the matter.
The Court thus dismissed the petition and upheld the KAT's order.
Case No: OP(KAT) No. 460 of 2024
Case Title: State of Kerala and Ors. v. Ranjith K. and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 428
Counsel for the petitioners: Syamanthak B.S. – Government Pleader
Counsel for the respondents: John T. Paul, Latha Anand, P.R. Rajesh