New Delhi: In a major development for the promotion of kickboxing in the national capital, senior IAS officer Sonal Goel has been appointed as the President of the All Delhi Kickboxing Association. The announcement was made during the General Body Meeting of the WAKO India Kickboxing Federation held at the Constitution Club of India, where the new Governing Council of the Delhi association was formally constituted.
A Strategic Appointment for Sports Administration
Sonal Goel’s nomination is seen as a strategic move to bring structured governance and wider reach to the sport. Speaking on the occasion, Santosh Agarwal, President of WAKO India, said:
“The nomination of an IAS officer like Sonal Goel will help the sport reach new milestones. Under her leadership, not only will the Delhi Kickboxing Association grow rapidly, but the sport itself will gain broader recognition across the state and country.”
Read also: IAS Nagarjuna B. Gowda Responds to Allegations of Reducing ₹51 Crore Mining Fine to ₹4,000
Who is Sonal Goel?
Sonal Goel, a 2008-batch IAS officer from the Tripura cadre, is known for her academic excellence and administrative acumen. She secured All India Rank 13 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination. An alumna of Sri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), she holds degrees in B.Com (Hons.), LL.B., and a Company Secretary (CS) qualification, along with a Master’s in Public Policy from IGNOU.
She has served in several key roles in both the central and state governments and is currently on earned leave from her position as Secretary, Government of Tripura.
Born in 1982, Goel comes from an academically inclined family. Her father is a Chartered Accountant, and her husband, Aditya Yadav, is an IRS officer. The couple has two children.
IAS Sonal Goel
Focus on Empowering Girls Through Sports
Expressing gratitude for the appointment, Sonal Goel said she is committed to promoting kickboxing not just as a sport but as a tool for empowerment.
“Kickboxing builds physical fitness, mental resilience, and is also a vital self-defence skill—especially for women and girls,” Goel said.
She also highlighted her work with ‘Nidar Betiyan’, a self-defence initiative by Sarv Hitam Manav Seva Sansthan, which conducts free training workshops for girls in Delhi.
New Governing Council Announced
The newly constituted Governing Council of the All Delhi Kickboxing Association includes:
- Anil Kumar Singhal – Vice President
- Ranjay Atrishya – Vice President
- Amit Poddar – General Secretary
- Jaikaran Singh Bhadauriya – Joint Secretary
- Krishan Dalania – Treasurer
- Arka Mandal – Executive Member
- Ashish Kumar – Executive Member
Felicitation of Medal-Winning Athletes
During the event, national and international medal-winning athletes and their coaches were felicitated by Guest of Honour Shetty Udaya Kumar Sagar, Standing Counsel for Telangana in the Supreme Court and Additional Advocate General for Haryana.
Part of National Push for Sports and Self-Defence
The All Delhi Kickboxing Association functions under the WAKO India Kickboxing Federation, the apex body for kickboxing in India, recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and affiliated with WAKO, the global governing body recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Santosh Agarwal also noted that under the Khelo India initiative, the Asmita League has been launched to promote self-defence and sports among girls. WAKO India has been entrusted with organizing Asmita League events in 150 cities across India.
Read also: Uttar Pradesh: Yogi Govt Transfers 8 IAS Officers, Appoints Masoom Ali Sarwar as Waqf Board CEO
