YOU’VE EARNED IT: Wong presents the 7th dan certificate to Edward. Looking on at left is Kiew.
SIBU: Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh has promised to try his best to help the Sarawak Taekwondo Federation (STF-WTF) to grow from strength to strength.
“I am deeply honoured that I have been appointed as the advisor for STF and I promise to do my best to help the association grow,” he told reporters after receiving a courtesy call from STF Sibu branch officials yesterday morning.
The visitors, led by STF state referee board chairman Kiew Shyh Yong, comprised seven senior members from STF.
Calling on more people and school students to join Taekwondo, he said: “To me, this is a good form of exercise which is not only good for physical prowess and endurance but also good for discipline and helping to build mental strength.”
Wong added that Taekwondo was a sport suitable for anybody as it was a sport without any age limit.
Earlier, he presented black belt certificates to those tested last December by Malaysia Taekwondo Association (MTA) technical director Peter Kang, secretary-general Eddy Tuan and technical chairman for East Malaysia Dr Henry Toh Yew Kiing.
Four candidates who earned their 7th dan were Kiew, Edward Subeng, Boniface James and Pang Ming Sing.
One obtained the 6th dan and 12 received 5th dan.
Several others attained the 2nd, 3rd and 4th dan.
Meanwhile, Kiew said STF was affiliated to MTA, and was a recognised sports association in the country.
“STF is in the process of getting recognition from the WTF headquarters,” he added.
Eddy explained that a High Court order last year had rescinded the deregistration notice served on MTA due to an internal conflict.
“By virtue of this decision, we believe we are back to the status quo where MTA is the national governing body for the sport and recognised by the WTF.”
STF will be sending a team of seven students and a team manager-cum-coach to participate in a Poomsae (pattern/hyung) competition in Penang on March 1-2.
Kiew said the youngest participant was a seven-year-old boy from Sarikei.