Martial arts body confident it can promote Sarawak with financial backing

0

KUCHING: Organisers of the World Hall of Fame Conference are confident that they would be able to promote Sarawak through their international martial arts network given adequate financial backing by the Tourism Ministry.

AN HONOUR: Song (left) presents Grandmaster Tseng Wen Tieh of Taiwan with his Doctorate Degree in Martial Arts.

AN HONOUR: Song (left) presents Grandmaster Tseng Wen Tieh of Taiwan with his Doctorate Degree in Martial Arts.

International Martial Arts Research Institute (Imari) founder and president Prof Dr Song Swee Hee said that a martial arts festival or carnival has a high potential of becoming successful.

“Martial arts is becoming very popular in the United States and other European countries,” he said in his speech at the Conference Awards Banquet Saturday night.

“We would like to request financial support from the ministry as it has the potential to boost Sarawak’s tourism industry.”

The three-day conference was organised by Imari, Martial Arts Federation of Malaysia, Nanyang Wushu Federation of Sarawak and People’s Cultural Arts Institute.

Previously named the World Martial Arts Black Belt Hall of Fame, it had its name changed to World Hall of Fame Conference to cover a wider scope and give due recognition to those who show outstanding dedication, contribution and achievement in their art.

Among those honoured in this year’s conference were Grandmaster Tseng Wen Tieh (Taiwan) and Master Yeo Liew Yian (Malaysia), who were each conferred a Doctorate Degree in Martial Arts by Imari.

Instructor Lai Lee Sze (Malaysia) collected her Master’s Degree in Martial Arts, while Judy Song Yueh Ling (Malaysia) was awarded her Bachelor Degree in Martial Arts.

Grandmaster Chan Keng Soon from Malaysia was awarded the Grandmaster Instructor of the Year 2010 award, while Grandmaster Yeo Wee Boon (Singapore) was named Grandmaster of the Year 2010.

Prof Dr Alexey Maslov (Russia), Master Jocelyn Toy (Canada) and Evgeny Chertovskikh (Russia) were named Senior Masters of the Year 2010.

Master Lim Eng Yew (Singapore) was honoured with the Master of the Year 2010 award, while Shifu Howie Solow (USA) and SA Rahamathulla (India) were named Instructors of the Year 2010.

Malaysians Alan Song Chun Hui and Chong Yek Chew received the Outstanding Achievement Award 2010, while Alvin Yeo Kai Xiang (Malaysia) was named Martial Artist of the Year 2010.

The Kung-Fu Kid of the Year 2010 title went to Jacqueline Song Yueh Choo (Malaysia), while Prof Dr Shamsudeen Eusoof Caadir (Malaysia) was awarded the Acupuncturist of the Year 2010 award.