CHARACTER BUILDING: From left, Yii, Pau and Lim jointly cut the ribbon to officiate at the championship. Looking on at second right is Ngu.
SIBU: Students who embraced the art of wushu should not think that they could make use of their expertise and skills in martial arts to become bullies in schools.
President of Wushu, Lion and Dragon Dance Federation of Sarawak, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said there is no room in wushu for students with such an unhealthy mentality.
He said those who harbour such mentality would eventually end up being the big losers themselves.
“As such, it is also advisable for those who inherited such mentality to stay away from wushu,” he added at the opening of Sibu Age-Group 2012 wushu championship held at Sibu Civic Centre yesterday.
His speech was read out by his representative, Senator Datuk Pau Chiong Ung.
Among those at the function included the advisor of Sibu Gymnastic (Wushu) Association, Datuk Yii Hieng Huong, its president Ngu Moh Ngi and Sibu Education Department Human Resource department chief Lim Chun Len.
The one-day championship attracted more than 250 wushu exponents from 30 schools.
Among the participating schoosl included six from Miri, three from Sarikei, two from Bintangor with Sibu schools making up the rest.
The championship, officially sanctioned by the State Sports Council, was divided into five categories – Boys’ & Girls’ U-16, U15, U12, U10 and U8.
The exponents competed in 55 events and disciplines such as ‘changquan’, ‘nanquan’, ‘jianshu’, ‘daoshu’, 42-‘taijichiquan’ and others.
Tiong said wushu is an art which flourished not only in ancient times but also in recent years more and more countries had taken up the art.
He reminded wushu exponents that wushu was an art for self defence and for shaping character’s building.
“Students who embraced the sport could learn to be self independent, responsible and an organised person. It is through such healthy characteristics that wushu is gaining worldwide recognition nowadays,” he
added.
Tiong said the sport could also be an area to promote national intergration and racial harmony as indicated by the different races of people taking active part in the sport.
He said wushu is no longer confined to one race and it’s increasing popularity among other races augur well for the promotion of racial harmony where people towards the betterment in nation building.
To the wushu exponents taking part in the championship, Tiong reminded them to treat the championship as a platform for them to excel in their skills.
“Train harder and pump in more efforts to improve your mobility, skills and performance for there is always a chance for you to shine and scale greater heights when the opportunity comes.”
Sarawak, he noted, is the powerhouse for wushu as the state wushu exponents regularly bring back titles in either national or international championship.
“Do not let the will to win titles derail your plan to go for greater glory. Try harder and together we should be able to put Sarawak on the map that produces wushu champions,” he added.
Tiong also made a personal donation of five thousand ringgit to the organisers of the championship.
Earlier, Ngu also mentioned that wushu is a healthy sport that is fast gaining popularity and recognition.
He said wushu is no longer an ancient culture of the Chinese communtiy but has become a popular sport widely accepted by more than 130 countries worldwide.
“Wushu not only helps test the character of a person but it also breathes new life into them and give them physical endurance and good characters.”