Wan Junaidi breaking a board with his fist as symbolic gesture in launching the State Inter-School Poomsae Taekwondo (WTF) 2014 Championship and State Taekwondo (WTF) 2014 Championship held at Yayasan Sarawak hall.
KUCHING: Knowing the philosophy and history behind taekwondo can be useful in appreciating this major martial art.
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar spoke on the subject when he officiated at the State Inter-School Poomsae Taekwondo (WTF) 2014 Championship and also the State Taekwondo (WTF) Champoinship 2014 held at Yayasan Sarawak Hall yesterday.
He urged practitioners not to misuse the art of self-defence as it can hurt people.
“Be philisophical in the art of self defence and use it to keep fit,” he advised.
Wan Junaidi said taekwondo can inculcate discipline in a person and make him a better individual physically, mentally and spiritually.
“This is good sport for the young and for everybody who wants to keep fit,” he added.
Wan Junaidi also took the opportunity to salute state officials and athletes inn the sport who have brought honour to the state.
Sarawak, he said, has became a powerhouse in the sport producing champions in state and national events.
Wan Junaidi later met the state team which represented Sarawak in this year’s Sukma.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Taekwondo WTF Association president Mohamad Salleh Sani called for greater recognition for the sport which had given a good name to Sarawak.
He said that the state association had came a long way and has produced top athletes up to the level of the world championship both in pattern (poomsae) and sparring.
300 participants are vying for 120 medals in poomsae and sparring events in the state championships from Aug 29-31.
Also present at the event were Youth and Sport director Abdul Harris Ishak, director of the State Sport Council Lucas Kallang Laing and NESTLE representative Anthony Ripat.