BJP Bengal Chief Samik Bhattacharya Conferred Honorary Black Belt by Hanshi Premjit Sen and Tournament Chairman Mr. Umashankar Ghosh Dastidar

The Honorary Black Belt was conferred in recognition of Samik Bhattacharya’s encouragement of sports, youth development and martial arts. In the Seishinkai tradition, a Black Belt signifies far more than technical proficiency—it represents discipline, dignity, character, responsibility, perseverance and service.

The presentation became one of the defining moments of the three-day championship, which brought together thousands of karate athletes, coaches, referees, officials and supporters at Netaji Indoor Stadium.

Bhattacharya expressed his appreciation for the scale of the championship and the enthusiasm of the young karatekas.

“I am truly overwhelmed to witness such a magnificent karate championship in Kolkata. Seeing thousands of young karatekas performing with such discipline, dedication and passion is an unforgettable experience. This championship reflects the tremendous potential of martial arts in shaping our youth.”

He also praised Hanshi Premjit Sen for his contribution to the development of karate.

“I wholeheartedly appreciate the relentless efforts of Hanshi Premjit Sen, whose vision, dedication and tireless work have elevated karate in West Bengal and India to remarkable heights. His contribution is inspiring a new generation of champions.”

Minister Dr. Indranil Khan Joins Hanshi Premjit Sen on the Tatami

Another memorable moment came when Dr. Indranil Khan, Hon’ble Minister, Government of West Bengal, stepped onto the tatami and enthusiastically performed karate techniques alongside Hanshi Premjit Sen.

His participation drew loud applause from the athletes and spectators and reflected the growing support for martial arts and youth sports in the state.

“It is a matter of immense pride to witness such a grand international sporting event in West Bengal. The scale of participation, the exceptional organisation and the enthusiasm of thousands of young karatekas clearly demonstrate the growing strength of karate in our state,” Dr. Khan said.

He also praised Hanshi Premjit Sen’s contribution to the sport.

“Hanshi Premjit Sen’s unwavering devotion, selfless service and relentless commitment towards the development of karate deserve the highest appreciation. His leadership has created a world-class platform for young athletes and has significantly enhanced Bengal’s reputation on the international sporting map.”

International Participation and New Benchmarks

Organised by the Karate Do Association of Bengal under the leadership of Hanshi Premjit Sen, the 10th Indian Challenger’s Cup featured participation from India and international delegations from Nepal, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates and South Africa.

The championship featured 23 international-standard tatami, more than 350 qualified referees and judges, an elevated competition arena, live entertainment and ₹5 lakh in cash awards.

The organisers said the championship brought together more than 6,000 participants, including athletes, coaches, referees, judges, officials and supporters, making it one of the largest international karate events organised in India.

Tournament Chairman Umashankar Ghosh Dastidar Credits Hanshi Pr…