A taekwondo athlete performs by the Gateway of India in Mumbai ©Getty Images

A franchise-based Indian Taekwondo Premier League (TPL) is due to launch in the country later this year with the aim of producing future stars.

Teams taking part in the competition could represent Hyderabad, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Assam, Delhi, Bangalore, Dehradun, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal, Chennai and Gujarat, organisers said.

It is planned that the league will be staged in Delhi in June.

South Korea's Moon Dae-sung, the Olympic over-80 kilograms champion at Athens 2004, was among those present at a launch event.

"The top players will get the opportunity to hone their skills at the highest level and I am sure India will soon see an Olympic medal winner," said Moon, according to Indian media.

Olympic gold medallist Moon Dae-sung attended a launch event for the league ©Getty Images
Olympic gold medallist Moon Dae-sung attended a launch event for the league ©Getty Images

Each team is due to feature five athletes, between 58kg and 68kg to keep the competition "fast and thrilling".

Selection trials will be held to decide the line-ups.

"This is the start of a new chapter, a new era, actually, in taekwondo," said organisers.

"We have been working on this for the last two years and are delighted to see so many entrepreneurs and businesses interested in backing the sport."