INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE: Sibu Martial Art (Quan Shu) Association exponents in action.
SIBU: The Sibu Martial Art (Quan Shu) Association will send over 20 exponents to the International Wushu Tournament in Hong Kong after the Chinese New Year.
“This is third year running we are taking part. In the last two years, we had brought home various titles to help build up the name of Sibu,” association chairman Yung Dak Looh said.
He pointed out that exposure was important because it would allow the exponents to gauge their standards against international opponents.
Yung is confident of a good showing, saying the exponents were now training five days a week.
He said the weekends were reserved for lion and dragon dance practice — two cultural activities they could not neglect.
According to Yung, the Hong Kong tournament will likely see the best kungfu experts in the fray. About 10,000 exponents are expected to show up.
He also said the international exposure for the Sibu team was Plan A of a long-term development programme, adding that the association was now negotiating for a youthful wushu coach from Guangdong, China.
“We are expecting to sign a one-year contract with the coach who should be here shortly after the Chinese New Year. Though young, he is no stranger to the rigours of international tournaments.”
Tung said the association would seek sponsorships for the project and with the hiring of the coach, training courses would be conducted for the local exponents.
He stressed the association also wanted its exponents to compete in local and regional tournaments as part of their development.
“We will chart a five-year plan, including the setting up of a training centre with the help of the state government,” he said, adding that he had already mentioned the proposal to Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh.
“I’m happy the minister is supportive. We will look for a piece of state land, and with his help, apply for it.”
He said now they had no proper training venue and were using the open space on top of a shophouse.
“We have to move the equipment to the top floor and down again after practice. That’s not all. Rain is the biggest problem. We cannot practise regularly during the wet season.”
Yung said there were times it started pouring after they had trained for 10 minutes – so they had to pack up and go home.