They were among the 23 taekwondo exponents sent by Sarawak Taekwondo Association (STA/WTF) for the three-day championship held in Shah Alam, Selangor.

The two gold medallists were Annie Kung Ling Ting, 19, and Tu Wen Jin, 18.

Annie bagged gold in the Girls’ Under-18 lightweight category while Tu – a 2012 Pahang bronze medallist – won in the Girls’ Under-18 heavyweight category.

Ma Shyan Luen collected the silver in the Boys’ Under-18 heavyweight category.

The two bronze medallists were Yii Yee Zing and Wong Leh Bing who competed in the Boys’ Under-14 featherweight category.

Some 460 participants from clubs affiliated to Taekwondo Malaysia (TM/WTF) throughout the country took part in the championship.

Chairman of Taekwondo Referee Board Thomas Tan was happy with the performance of the local players.

“We only sent seven players and we are happy to come back with five medals. There is still room for improvement and we hope our players will continue to train hard, gain more exposure and fight for the glory for the state,” he said.

Meanwhile, Tan said all the gold medallists in the Sarawak Junior and Senior Taekwondo (MSN-MILO-TM-WTF) championship held at SMK Methodist recently were selected for the 1st Phase STA/WTF/Sukma 2014 centralized training in Kuching from May 23 to 31.

“All the gold medallists who reported for centralized training in Kuching stand a chance to qualify for the 2014 Sukma taekwondo event,” he added.

The gold medalists from the three Sibu taekwondo clubs are Tie Tong Siong, Ling Kuok Jin, Wong Leh Bing, Joyce Hii (Rejang Taekwondo Club), Russell Lee, Flora Rasyidah Samson, Michelle Ting, Freda Wong, Nancy Kiew, Delucci Maria Ekot (Sri Sibu Taekwondo Club), Tu Wen Jin and Wong Kiang Teck (Kenyalang Taekwondo Club)

He reminded all the participants to submit their personal particulars to the state technical secretary Pui Jak Joon by May 9 at the latest for the purpose of arrangement of transport, accommodation and school leaver applications from the Education Department. Tan may be contacted on 0198941326.

“We actually have five exponents who were recently selected to join the national squad but unfortunately two of them are unable to make it because unforeseen circumstances,” he lamented.

According to him, the selected exponents were Dayang Farhanah Abang Sazali, Jenny Soh Fong Mee, Marena Tee Zulariffin, Shirley Kua Xiao Zie, all in the women’s squad and Low Kwong Yew for the men’s squad.

Dayang was supposed to compete in the flyweight category (46-49kg), Jenny in welterweight category (62-72kg), Marena in middleweight category (67-73kg), Shirley in heavyweight category (above 72kg) and Low in men’s welterweight (74-80kg).

Salleh however said Dayang was unable to join the squad because she is continuing her studies and is also facing some weight issues while Low on other hand, had to go to Singapore to attend urgent matters.

“We were disappointed with the unexpected turn of events but nevertheless three of our exponents will continue to
soldier on and they will join the national squad in early May,” he said.

He mentioned the local exponents were selected based on their achievements at national level including last year’s Pahang Sukma where Sarawak dethroned Trengganu to emerge champion in taekwondo.

The five exponents were among those who brought home four golds, two silvers and two bronze.

Both Dayang and Shirley won gold medals each while Marena Tee won silver and 17-year-old Low won bronze.

“We are proud of them for being selected and their selection will augur well for the development taekwondo in Sarawak where more young people will be interested to take up the martial arts,” Salleh enthused.

According to its president, Mohd Salleh Sani this was part of the association’s continuous efforts to develop and groom the state’s junior exponents.

“We are sending them to participate in more national tournaments to upgrade their skills and prepare them for Sukma 2014 and 2016 and more competitive and high level fights in the near future,” Salleh said after presenting the state colours to the 24-member Sarawak team bound for the Sportexcel-NSC-Milo Taekwondo Malaysia (WTF) National Junior and Senior Circuit.

The circuit will be held at Kompleks Sukan Negara Panasonic, Shah Alam, Selangor from April 26-28.

In conveying his best wishes to the state exponents, Salleh hoped that they will try to put up a good challenge against their opponents in the Shah Alam meet.

The team managed by Joseph Chang comprises Winnie Law Lee Lee, Lim Chee Huong, Mohd Dzerly, Chai Chun Hui, Nurul Ashikin, Yii Yee Zing, Annie Kung Ling Ting, Marlisa Tee, Mohd Amirul, Wong Kiang Teck, Nur Iffah, Nur Hidayah, Audrey Nu, Abg Ahmad Latif, Muhd Shazerick, Phung Yean Song, Muhd Rizzuan, Joshua Kho, Abang Muhammad Faiz, Lidiya Ngaitimah, Mah Shyan Luen, Tu Wen Jing, Syahmimi Mohd Salleh and Wong Leh Bing. They are coached by Kriangkrai Noikoed, Wong Ing Sing and Tan Chen Qiang.

GO FOR GLORY: Tang (centre) with the four exponents selected to represent Sarawak in the coming National Youth Taekwondo Championship.

SIBU: Sibu Rejang Taekwondo Club (RTC) will send four exponents to represent Sarawak for the National Youth Taekwondo Championship in Kuala Lumpur in June.

RTC chief instructor Thomas Tang said the four players were all gold medalists in their respective categories in the Sarawak Junior and Senior Taekwondo (MSN-MILO-TM-WTF) championship held here recently.

They are Wong Leh Bing, Eric Larkson, Tie Tong Siong (all three are 14 years old) and Lau Yi Heng, 12.

“Work hard and try your best to win gold for the state,” Tang told the exponents over a dinner held to mark RTC’s historic success in the recent championship.

In the championship, RTC secured eight gold, 12 silver and 21 bronze to emerge as the third best.

Kuching Taekwondo Self Defence Centre, garnering 15 gold, three silver and six bronze were the champion while runner-up Sri Sibu Taekwondo Club bagged nine gold, nine silver and 12 bronze.

To the four going for national youth meet, Tang advised them to stay focused and remained level-footed in order to excel.

“If you come back with good results at the National Youth Taekwondo championship, there is always a possibility you will be picked to represent the state in the more prestigious Inter-Club Taekwondo championship to be held in Kuala Lumpur later this year.”

Tang wanted his exponents to look far, saying the sport promises a lot of interesting prospects and chances for them to represent the country.

“The most important thing is you must train hard to attain a higher degree of success.”

Meanwhile, RTC had already shortlisted several players to represent Sibu in the Poomsae championship to be held in Bintulu from May 4 to 5.

A MILESTONE EVENT: Sibu Rejang Taekwondo Club are proud of their results in the recent Sarawak Junior and Senior Taekwondo championship held at SMK Methodist here.

SIBU: Sibu Rejang Taekwondo Club (RTC) secured eight gold, 12 silver and 21 bronze medals to emerge as the third best team in the recently concluded Sarawak Junior and Senior Taekwondo (MSN-MILO-TM-WTF) championship held at SMK Methodist here.

Its chief instructor Thomas Tang described the result as excellent and a milestone for the club’s three-year-old history.

“We are proud with our best ever results and, hopefully, our players will continue to show commitment to ensure that we will be able to sustain our marvelous record,” he said at the club victorious dinner celebration held recently.

A record number of 265 participants from throughout the state took part in the two-day championship used as a platform to gauge the standard of the players shortlisted to represent Sarawak in next year’s Sukma.

The tournament was also aimed at promoting the sport in Sarawak to cement Sarawak’s reputation as the powerhouse for taekwondo.

Exponents from the 18 clubs affiliated to the Sarawak Taekwondo Association (STA/WTF) were eligible for participation.

Kuching Taekwondo Self Defence Centre, garnering 15 gold, three silver and six bronze medals, was the champion while the runner-up was Sri Sibu Taekwondo Club with nine gold, nine silver and 12 bronze medals.

About 50 taekwondo exponents represented RTC in six categories, including the Boys’ and Girls’ Junior Under-13 and Under-10, Under-17 and Under-14 and Senior Open 18 and above.

During the dinner, Tang also gave out incentive awards to all the medalists in the recent championship.

He said the token of incentives was to spur the exponents to train harder so that they would be able to excel in bigger tournaments.

“Work hard and more cash rewards await you,” he added.

COMBAT READY: State exponents Ahmady Radi and Nur Ifa Husna Saiful in training for their upcoming tournaments. The two Smart Taekwondo Club (Bintulu) exponents were selected by Sarawak Taekwondo Association (WTF) to join the open selection for the coming 11th Asean ATF Taekwondo Championship to be held in Melaka on April 6.

BINTULU: Two exponents from Smart Taekwondo Club (Bintulu) were selected by Sarawak Taekwondo Association (WTF) to join the open selection for the coming 11th Asean ATF Taekwondo Championship to be held in Melaka on April 6.

The exponents were namely Ahmady Radi and Nur Ifa Husna Saiful. Ahmady previously had competed in the 2011 SEA Games 2011 and in the 6th World Taekwondo Championship held in Columbia last year.

He was also the gold medallist in the National Taekwondo Championship held in 2011 and 2012. Meanwhile Nur Ifa Husna was the gold medallist in last year’s National Taekwondo Championship and Japan’s 2012 WATA Championship.

According to Smart Taekwondo Club head coach, Pui Jak Joon, both exponents had undergone intensive training since early this year to equip themselves for the coming National Taekwondo Championship and next year’s Sukma.

On another development, the club bagged eight gold, five silver and seven bronze medals during the Sarawak State Taekwondo Championship held in Sibu recently.

BRIGHT PROSPECTS: The state taekwondo exponents (top photo, from left) Shirley Kua, Low Kwong Yew, (bottom photo, from left) Marena Tee Zulariffin and Dayang Farhanah Abang Sazali show their medals after the taekwondo competition at the Sukma XV in Pahang in 2012.

KUCHING: Sarawak Taekwondo Association (PTNS) is recommending five of its top exponents to be shortlisted for the national squad bound for the coming SEA Games in Vietnam.

PTNS president Mohd Salleh Sani said that the five are Dayang Farhanah Abang Sazali for the flyweight category (46-49kg), Jenny Soh Fong Mee for welterweight (62-72kg), Marena Tee Zulariffin for middleweight (67-73kg), Shirley Kua Xiao Zie for heavyweight (above 72kg) and Low Kwong Yew for men’s welterweight (74-80kg).

According to Salleh, a key criteria for their selection was their achievements in the local and national scene.

“One of their best achievements was in last year’s Sukma held in Pahang when Sarawak dethroned Trengganu to emerge champion in taekwondo and brought home four golds, two silvers and two bronzes,” he said.

Dayang Farhanah and Shirley Kua won gold, Marena Tee took silver and Low Kwong Yew, the youngest at 16, clinched bronze.

The five are also expected to participate in the coming Borneo City Cup Invitational Taekwondo Competition organised by PTNS in August.

The event will serve as a good platform for the state exponents to gain exposure because over 200 competitors from East and West Kalimantan of Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore, Philippines, Sabah and the Peninsula are expected to take part.

Dato’ Edward Jules Savarimuthu

KUCHING: Immense potential for the future of Taekwondo in Malaysia was unearthed at the recently concluded Sarawak Junior and Senior Taekwondo (MSN-MILO-TM-WTF) championship at SMK Methodist in Sibu on Sunday.

This was the opinion of Taekwondo Malaysia secretary-general Dato’ Edward Jules Savarimuthu and shared by chairman of the technical committee Dhanaraj Rassiah who were present at the closing ceremony officiated by Temenggong Vincent Lau.

Elaborating on his comment, Edward quipped “it’s about time Malaysia produced another medal at the Olympic Games in Taekwondo” and that medal should come from Sarawak.

Edward paid tribute to the parents, coaches and instructors who have worked very hard to harvest athletes with great potential to represent Sarawak and the nation at international tournaments.

On the international front, Malaysia was represented by Ahmady Radi from Sarawak at the 7th World Taekwondo Poomsae Championship in Tujan, Columbia in December last year.

The 8th edition of the world championship will be held in Bali, Indonesia next year.

“Producing high calibre athletes comes from the supply chain of programmes that harnesses potential and teaches our young exponents about disciplined training and a champion mind-set”, said Edward who was highly impressed by the standard displayed at the championship.

Edward thanked the organising chairman Eric Michael Toyad and his team who were behind the championship. He also made special mention of SK Methodist (Sibu) headmaster Yong Choo Tiong for the use of the venue and the support given by the Board of Governors.

The two-day championship was organised by the Rejang Taekwondo Club under the auspices of the Sarawak Taekwondo Association (PTNS).

COURTESY VISIT: Edward (second right) with (from left) Tan, Salleh and Then (right) posing with Johari (centre) during the courtesy call on the minister at his office at Bangunan Baitulmakmur in Petra Jaya on Wednesday.

KUCHING: Taekwondo Malaysia (TM) and Sarawak Taekwondo Association (WTF) will be working closely with state government in the effort to develop Borneo Cup Taekwondo Championship into a world class event.

TM secretary Dato Edward Jules said the national taekwondo governing is helping Sarawak Taekwondo Association (PTNS) to grow the event into a brand name for the state.

“Sarawak has been pro-active in developing the sport and producing high calibre athletes for the country…we want to use the Borneo Cup as a stepping stone for potential exponents to compete at future Olympics,” he told the Borneo Post in an exclusive interview yesterday.

Edward had paid courtesy calls to Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg and his assistant minister Datuk Talib Zulpilip on Wednesday to brief them on the matter.

Accompanying him were PTNS (WTF) president Mohd Salleh Sani, vice president Timothy Then and state technical chairman Tan Check Joon.

“The minister has graciously consented to be the patron and advisor for the Borneo Cup and we are looking at how to promote this event along with the Borneo Rainforest Festival and the Kuching City Day celebration,” said Edward.

“When we look at events in Sarawak, we believe PTNS can contribute towards more international events especially on the sporting side. In this regard they are doing the Borneo Cup for the fourth time on Aug 24-25. It is also time for PTNS to upgrade the tournament to a recognised tournament,” he said.

The organisers are also targeting over 200 exponents from 10 to 15 different countries for the coming tournament.

Edward said the Borneo Cup is also one the events listed on TM’s calendar and it will fully support PTNS’ efforts in making the event a success.

“This year, we are only organising taekwondo competition for the Borneo Cup and gradually other sports will come in as part of the event. We want to be the main driver of international sports events for the Borneo Cup,” said Edward.

“Through the Borneo Cup, we also hope that we can unearth more potential exponents who will one day stand on the medals podium at the Olympics Games,” he added.

BRIGHT FUTURE: Pui (right) is hoping that his young exponents can go far in the sport like what Ahmady (fourth right) has done.

KUCHING: The Sarawak Taekwondo Association (WTF) is pleased with the overwhelming response to the Yayasan Invitational Taekwondo Championship which ended at the Yayasan Sarawak multi-purpose hall in Semariang last Sunday.

In a press statement yesterday, the association said about 250 exponents from various schools and clubs in Kuching and Kota Samarahan competed in the one-day event.

It was jointly organised by Yayasan Sarawak, Kuching Taekwondo and Self-Defence Club (WTF) and the Kelab Taekwondo Bumi Kenyalang (WTF).

“It is heartening to note that all the best, young and eager exponents have responded well to the challenge in honour of their sport, their school and their club,” the statement said.

The organising committee also took the opportunity to extend their appreciation to association president Mohd Salleh Sani, state technical chairman Tan Check Joon, Yayasan Sarawak, Nestle Products Sdn Bhd, Civil Defence Kuching branch, members, instructors and parents for their generous and selfless contributions in making the tournament possible.

BRIGHT FUTURE: Pui (right) is hoping that his young exponents can go far in the sport like what Ahmady (fourth right) has done.

BINTULU: Six Taekwondo exponents from Sarawak Taekwondo Association (WTF) bagged three gold, one silver and one bronze at the 19th International Islamic University Malaysia Invitational Tournament recently.

The tournament which was held in Gombak Selangor was participated by over 900 exponents from Malaysia and Thailand.

The six who are members of Kelab Taekwondo Smart (WTF) here were Ahmady Radi, Nurul Hidayah and Marylyne Bungan (SMK Kidurong), Stanley Law Sie Lee ( SM Kai Dee Bintulu) , and Dayang Syamimi Sakinah and Huang Huat Yong (SMK Baru Bintulu).

The club president Raja Zahari Raja Yusof expressed his thanks to Bintulu Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing and Datuk Pui Kian Onn for their continuous support in the development of Taekwondo in the division.

Meanwhile club head instructor Pui Jak Joon said the club will continue producing exponents to represent the state in national and international competitions.

“For this tournament most of them are young and new. This is to give them greater exposure as part of their preparation for SUKMA.

“We also preparing our senior members like Ahmady for the coming Sea Games and World Championship in Poomsae (patterns) competition,” said Pui.

Ahmady won the bronze medal (mixed pair poomsae) at the 26th SEA Games in 2011. Last year, he was champion at the 2nd Taekwondo Malaysia (WTF) National Poomsae Championship and represented Malaysia at the 7th World Taekwondo Poomsae Championship in Tujan, Columbia.

Hitmenten club president Abdul Rahman Hassan said the clinic will now be held on Mar 17 at 10am at the same venue.

“We are organising more clinics as part of our club’s efforts to popularise the new game among the locals and youngsters at selected venues in Kuching and Samarahan,” he said.

“We are continuing our efforts to turn hitmenten into a popular sport just like badminton,” he added.

Rahman said that only by going to the ground and conducting clinics that the club can achieve its mission of making the game a hit among sports enthusiasts in Kuching and Samarahan and perhaps to other parts of the state and country.

“Those interested in attending the clinic can still call us,” he said.

For more enquiries, call Nurhafizah Hamdan at 010-9826025 or Manan Abdul Rahman at 010-9649102.

COME AND JOIN US: Sarawak Taekwondo Association (STA) president, Mohd Salleh Sani (second left) together with Taekwondo Malaysia (TM) vice-president Dato Samson Maman, STA vice-president Dato Lau Keung Chai and technical chairman cum chief instructor Tan Check Joon (right) during the press conference.

SIBU: Sarawak Taekwondo Association (STA) president Mohd Salleh Sani had called on parents and schools authorities to check the legitimacy of taekwondo bodies before enrolling children as members.

According to him, the state Education Director’s office should be consulted first if any doubts arised.

He told a press conference yesterday that it was important to double check the status of these bodies to ensure that they were affiliates of STA.

Taekwondo Malaysia vice-president Dato Samson Maman, STA vice-president Dato Lau Keung Chai and technical chairman cum chief instructor Tan Check Joon were also present during the function.

“If the clubs are not affiliated to STA, the students do not have any chance to take part in any Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) related sports,” he pointed out.

Salleh said it would be a waste of time for students who had spent their time and efforts if in the end they were not eligible to represent the state or nation.

“When this happens, it’s not only unfair to the students…we do not want this to happen anymore and that is why we are repeatedly reminding school principals, teachers and parents to ensure that the taekwondo clubs which their children joined are affiliated to STA,” he said.

Currently, STA has 19 taekwondo bodies affiliated to it with two in Sibu namely Rejang Taekwondo Club and Sri Sibu Taekwondo Club.

The association had also appealed to those non-affiliated clubs to consider joining STA .

Meanwhile, Taekwondo Malaysia (TM) is calling on all taekwondo organisations not affiliated to TM to stop infringing on the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) logo, flag or motto when organising tournaments.

Vice president Samson warned of legal actions against those who chose to continue misleading the public.

He said WTF had recognised TM as its representative in Malaysia ever since the deregistration of Malaysia Taekwondo Association (MTA) in 2005.

“This was confirmed in a letter dated January 16, 2013 letter from WTF secretary general Jean-Marie Ayer addressed to TM president Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Jaafar,” he said.

Samson said WTF recognised TM as the only association in Malaysia which is authorised to register athletes to compete at international level including but not limiting to all WTF promoted championships and Olympic qualifiers.

He said the association was aware of groups going round to recruit members even though their associations were not affiliated to TM thus violating the intellectual property rights of WTF.

“We demand you to immediately cease and desist from the use of WTF emblem in any name, flag, motto, document, advertisement material, tournaments, competitions or any other identifiers,” Samson said.

“TM (WTF) further demanded your confirmation in writing of cessation from any further unauthorised use of the said mark, failing which legal action will be taken against you,” he added.

Samson said they had already sent out a letter to Sarawak Taekwondo Federation (STF) to stop all the illegal activities like organising tournaments using WTF’s logo.

Samson said TM had been quiet all this while in order not to blow the issue out of proportion.

“We have been giving chances after chances to taekwondo organisations not affiliated to us to join us. We extended our arms and we welcomed them with sincerity to join us but it seemed that our appeals had not been appreciated.”

Instead, some of these organisations continued to go to schools to recruit members, claiming they had got the WTF blessing, he lamented.

“Together, we can push Sarawak taekwondo towards greater heights…we want to see quality athletes and we hope that our taekwondo exponents can help the country win a gold medal in the next Olympics. If taekwondo exponents from Sarawak can get it, then get it for us,” he said.

SECOND ANNIVERSARY: Taekwondo Malaysia (TM) vice president Datuk Samson Maman (third from left) together with (from left) Thomas Tan, RTC president Eric Michael Toyad, Sarawak Taekwondo Association vice president Dato Lau Keung Chai and his technical chairman, Tan Check Joon jointly cutting the anniversary cake.

SIBU: The public were told to be wary of the group of people currently moving from school to school and recruiting members for certain taekwondo clubs.

Rejang Taekwondo Club (RTC) chief instructor Thomas Tan yesterday had alleged that the group had committed a serious offence by using the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) logo when recruiting members and they were told to stop it immediately.

“Since they are not affiliated to the Sarawak Taekwondo Association (STA) they are not legally allowed to do so…they are manipulating the truth by claiming that they have the WTF blessing and using the WTF logo to recruit members. This is a very serious offence,” he said.

He spoke on the issue during the club’s second anniversary celebration cum Chinese New Year gathering held on Thursday night.

Among those at the function were Taekwondo Malaysia (TM) vice president Datuk Samson Maman, Sarawak Taekwondo Association vice president Dato Lau Keung Chai, technical chairman cum chief instructor Tan Check Joon and RTC president Eric Michael Toyad.

Tan reminded school principals to be on the lookout for such group of people and should never entertain their requests.

“They are not telling the truth and the principals should therefore be aware about all the facts,” he said while pointed out WTF only recognised TM as the sole body to champion the cause of taekwondo in Malaysia.

MTA was deregistered in 2005 due to its internal crisis which remained unsolved for five years and its demise eventually led to the formation of TM.

MTA, nevertheless, claimed it was reinstated during the court ruling in 2010.

Its secretary general, Eddy Tuan, had told the press recently then that they planned to go to South Korea soon to seek a discussion with WTF on the possibility of recognising MTA as the national taekwondo body.

Earlier, in his brief address, Eric called on all taekwondo exponents in the state to unite and work together under one roof.

He said they could not afford to split into factions as it would not benefit anybody.

“We would be strong and Sarawak would be stronger if we could all work together for the benefits of the development of the sport in Sarawak.

“Show us all your talent at the coming state taekwondo championship to ensure that Sarawak will continue to produce taekwondo champions in future tournaments.”

READY FOR BATTLE: Team members with coach Micheal (left), manager (second right), Grandmaster Dr Henry Toh (centre) and STF official Kiew Shysh Yong.

SIBU: The Sarawak Taekwondo Federation(STF) is sending a team of 10 exponents to the First Malaysia Taekwondo Association(MTA-WTF) National Taekwondo Poomsae Championship 2013 in Penang from March 1-2.

Leading the eight boys and two girls are team manager Pang Ming Siing, coach Micheal Wong Sie Ing and chaperon Ling Ling.

The oldest in the team is an 18-year-old boy while the youngest is a 7-year-old boy.

The team received their colours Tuesday night from MTA East Malaysia chief technical director Dr Henry Toh Yew King.

Speaking at the occasion, Micheal expressed optimism that the team could bag at least two gold medals from the competition.

The Deputy Director of the Co-curriculum and Art Division of the Education Ministry Anuar Abdul Wahid is expected to declare open the championship organised by the Penang United Taekwondo Society at the Sunshine Square.

RARING TO GO: Low (left) and Tiong are among the participants expected to be in action at the upcoming Sarawak Championship.

SIBU: About 250 taekwondo exponents from throughout the state will take part in the 2013 Sarawak Junior & Senior Taekwondo Championship (MSN-MILO-TM-WTF) at SMK Methodist here on March 23 and 24.

Pahang Sukma gold medallist Tiong Hung Teng and bronze medallist Low Kwong Yew are among the handful of former Sukma participants expected at the championship.

The annual event, sanctioned by the Sarawak Taekwondo Association (STA-WTF), will be organized by Sibu Rejang Taekwondo Club (RTC).

Only taekwondo exponents from the 18 clubs affiliated to the STA-WTF are eligible for participation.

RTC secretary Thomas Tan, who is also the event organizing secretary, told The Borneo Post that the championship was divided into six categories, namely the Boys’ and Girls’ Junior Under-13 & Under-10, Under-17 & Under-14 and Senior Open 18 & Above.

He said the championship would be used to gauge the standard of the players who would be shortlisted to represent Sarawak in next year’s Sukma.

It was also aimed at promoting the sport in Sarawak to consolidate Sarawak’s reputation as the powerhouse for taekwondo, he added.

Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh is expected to officiate at the function at 11am on March 23 while Dhanaray Rassiah from the Technical Board of Taekwondo Malaysia is expected to grace the closing ceremony on March 24 at 1.30pm.

According to MTA secretary general, Eddie Tuan the event is recognised by the Ministry of Education and is open to all schools and state teams nationwide.

Penang’s Department of Education and Pulau Pinang Taekwondo Federation are the joint-host for the two-day tournament.

He said the organising committee conducted its first meeting on Feb 6 at Penang’s Education Department’s office.

“MTA promises to always support and monitor the development of the Taekwondo in all states and districts in the country…MTA will not succeed in its endeavors if its affiliates failed to cooperate. I believe if we remain united we will be successful,” said Eddie.

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.

FUTURE OLYMPIANS: Sarawak Taekwondo Association (PTNS) have a few potential candidates to be recommended for the national 2016 Olympics and the coming SEA Games squad. They include (from left) Sukma champion Dayang Farhanah and national sparring champion Marena Tee Zulariffin. The candidates also include Rida Ayuda Rambli (right) and Annie Kung Ling Ting who each delivered a gold medal in last year’s Indosat Open Taekwondo Championship.

KUCHING: Sarawak Taekwondo Association (PTNS) is aiming to have at least one of its exponents in the national squad for the 2016 Olympics to be held in Rio Janeiro, Brazil.

PTNS president Salleh Sani recently disclosed the association is currently grooming and training the potential candidates among its state female exponents.

“We are working towards that goal and is aiming to have at least one female representative in the national Olympic squad,” he said on PTNS’ long term plans of grooming potential world class exponents among the present state squad members.

Presently Sarawak has nine promising female exponents in its stable and they had competed in the recent Pahang Sukma where the state contingent emerged overall champions after narrowly edged Terengganu in the medal tally.

The state squad members are Annie Kung Ling Ting, Dayang Farhanah Abang Sazali, Phung Jin Wen, Jenny Soh Foh Mee, sisters Marlisa and Marena Tee Zulariffin, Dina Kuan, Shirley Kua Xiao Ziew and Rida Ayuda Rambli.

Salleh together with his technical committee chairman, Tan Chek Joon however are keeping mum on the names of the potential candidates for fear that it will put unnecessary pressure onto them if the matter was to be disclosed so soon.

“We will not announce the candidates that soon because it will only put unnecessary pressure to them but in the end there will be at least one of them for the coming Olympics,” said Salleh.

HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMP: Pahang Sukma heavyweight champion, Shirley Kua.a

PTNS are spoiled for choice in their final selection because Sarawak has a good pool of female exponents who have stamped their marks in recent national and international events.

They include the recent Pahang Sukma heavyweight champion, Shirley Kua who also won gold in last year’s 3rd National Taekwondo Malaysia (WTF)-NSC-Milo Sparring Championship held Kuala Lumpur.

Rida and Annie Kung are also among the potentials after they delivered a gold medal each for Sarawak in last year’s Indosat Open Taekwondo Championship held in Pontianak, Kalimantan, Indonesia.

Other contenders who may fit the bill include Pahang Sukma gold medallist, Dayang Farhanah who won the flyweight category and national sparring champions Marena and Wong Ing Sing.

They are all still young at age and are expected to be fully groomed in time for the Olympics.

On its immediate plans to give exposure for local exponents, PTNS will soon be organising the state level inter-division championship in March to be held in Kuching.

The event which is expected to attract top exponents from all the divisions is also aimed to select state representatives who will be recommended for the national SEA Games squad.

According to its technical committee chairman, Tan Teck Joon the association is planning to send at least three of its exponents for trials and training with the Myanmar-bound national SEA Games squad.

“There will be at least three exponents who we will recommend to the national squad and hopefully they will compete in this year’s SEA Games,” Tan said on the coming championship which is one of the association’s calendar of events this year.

Apart from that Sarawak exponents will have the opportunity to compete against their counterparts from overseas in the coming Borneo City Cup Invitational Taekwondo Competition to be held in August and is expected to attract 200 exponents from eight countries.

During the 1992 Olympics, one of Sarawak’s exponents competed in taekwondo which was then a demonstration event and in the 2000 Olympics held in Sydney Australia, former state Sukma coach Lee Wan Yuen created history after becoming the first Malaysian to qualify for the competition.

Malaysia’s achievement in the Olympics was only through M. Vasugi who won a bronze medal in the 1988 Seoul Olympics but taekwondo was just a demonstration event.

Malaysia did not send any representatives for last year’s London Olympics because of the problem with the deregistered Malaysia Taekwondo Association (MTA) in 2005 and had since been taken over by Taekwondo Malaysia (TM).

With all the dusts settled down, TM has to work together with its state affiliates including PTNS to quickly identify, select and train the potential Olympians for the games which is just three years away.

NEW RULE: Salleh (centre, standing) and Tan (second left) posing with Dr Chungwon (seated right), TM president Tunku Tan Sri Imran Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Ja’afar (left), secretary Edward Jules Esq (third right), technical chairman Dhanaraj Rassiah and others during the dinner in Sunway.

KUCHING: Only Taekwondo Malaysia (TM) and its affiliates in the country are allowed to use the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) name and logo in Malaysia.

This was announced by WTF president Dr Chungwon Choue in a press conference in Kuala Lumpur on Jan 12.

On Monday the Sarawak Taekwondo Association (PTNS) president Salleh Sani had clarified the association’s position as the only governing body for the sport in Sarawak.

Salleh was in Kuala Lumpur with state technical chairman Tan Check Joon to attend a dinner at Sunway Resort Hotel which was held in conjunction with the Chungwon’s visit to Malaysia.

He clarified further that no person, club or association is allowed the use of the WTF name and logo in registration or promotion activities unless they are an affiliate member of TM.