THANK YOU: The organising chairman Alex Wong presents a token of appreciation to Lau while (from fourth left) deputy president of Sarawak Taekwondo Club Datuk Lau Keung Chai, chairman of Sri Sibu Taekwondo Club Vincent Goh and others look on.
SIBU: Martial arts help shape students’ character development, going beyond equipping the practitioners with self-defence and better health.
Saying this on Sunday, Temenggong Vincent Lau Lee Ming stressed that the immediate aim of the true martial arts was the benefits to the students.
“Not only will self-defence skills be attained, but more importantly will be the focus on the individual’s character development.
“A well-rounded personality can be realised only if the spirit is right. Courtesy, respect, modesty, loyalty, generosity and dedication are not only the source, but the reward of martial arts,” he said when addressing some 800 people at ‘Malam Waja Diri 1Malaysia’ at civic centre here.
The event which grouped together various forms of martial arts was organised by ‘Kelab Taekwondo Sri Sibu’ in collaboration with Brooke Drive KRT and Sarawak Youth and Sports Department.
A total of 10 groups, of which four were from Sibu, one from Kanowit while the rest from Kuching, had the audience glued to their seats with their nail-biting performances.
Lau added that students involved in the proper instruction of martial arts would develop good self-discipline.
He noted that improvement of physical ability gained from training would be immediately visible to the student himself while improvement of self-discipline would be recognised by those around him.
“Physical activities used to enhance mental conditioning are helpful in developing a positive self-image.”
He observed that students showed respect to each other, their instructors, and even to their school upon joining each class session.
“Regardless of the ritual, almost all martial arts teach students to value age, rank, expertise, and experience. This respect for instructors and senior students can often carry over to classes in regular schools as well,” Lau enthused.
Dwelling on other benefits of martial arts, he said it was good for people of both genders and all ages.
Women, he added, would learn effective self-defence that could be used against opponents, who might be larger and stronger than them.
Lau also said learning martial arts could build and maintain the muscle tone as it was a programme designed to keep the body perfectly conditioned.
“Insistence on mental alertness keeps a sound mind in a sound body. With proper instruction in the martial arts, we can control the stress and tension in our life, take off excess weight and enjoy ourselves while learning effective self-defence besides gaining self-confidence,” he added.
Earlier, he said martial arts could help foster bonding among the various communities.