Kerala student seriously injured in Maharashtra taekwondo event; family alleges referee negligence

A 17-year-old student from Kerala, Faiz Abdul Jalal, suffered serious injuries during a CBSE South Zone Taekwondo competition in Maharashtra on August 3, 2023. His family claims the referee was negligent in the incident. Jalal, a plus two student, was kicked in the head by his opponent after signaling to withdraw from the bout. The family alleges the referee failed to stop the match in accordance with rules, which require the official to remain within a two-meter radius of the contestants.

The match continued after Jalal's withdrawal, and after he was thrown off balance, the opponent delivered a powerful kick to his head. The student was rushed to a private hospital in Nagpur, where he underwent emergency surgery on the same day. He was later airlifted to Kochi for further treatment, and remains on a ventilator with some improvement in his condition.

The family has complained to the CBSE authorities and plans to pursue legal action over the incident.