Registered and new umpires from ITF Sarawak in a group photo at the ITFM National Umpire Seminar held from Sept 12-13 in Kuching.
KUCHING: The National Taekwondo Umpire Seminar was held here from Sept 12 to 13 to update both registered and new umpires with the latest system of umpiring according to world standards.
The ITFM National Umpire Seminar held at 56 Hotel here was organised by the International Taekwon-Do Federation Malaysia (ITFM) in collaboration with ITF Sarawak. The organising committee of ITF Sarawak was led by chairman Sim Heng Tak (5th dan) who was assisted by Regina Ho (4th Dan). The two-day seminar was conducted by Grandmaster Tan Chek Si (9th Dan) and Lee Sock Cheng (6th Dan), both from ITFM, and saw the participation of 30 umpires from ITF Sarawak, among them ITFM-registered umpires.
This year, five members of ITF Sabah led by chief instructor Rais Japar (3rd Dan) joined the seminar for the first time since the formation of ITF Sabah three years ago.
In the recent 19th ITF World Taekwon-Do Championship held in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, from Aug 24-30, the ITF Umpiring Board had trained new umpires to comply with the latest electronic judging system.
In this new paperless system, everything is done through computers for a more efficient and professional judging in ensuring more transparency and fairness.
In addition, the seminar was also to increase the numbers as both ITFM and ITF Sarawak needed more newly trained umpires to assist in various future championships.
According to ITFM umpire chairman Senior Master Johnny Chai (8th Dan), it was made compulsory for all registered ITF senior instructors and black belts to equip themselves with the knowledge of judging and the procedures of competition so as to produce more quality exponents in the national and international arenas.
Those interested, including school students in the original Korean martial art of self-defence, Rakan Wajadiri and school extra curriculum (Uniformed Units) recognised by the Ministry of Education, can contact Senior Master Johnny Chai at 082-231368 or 019-8871386, Sim Heng Tak (019-8893622), Leong Wee Ping (016-8166997) or Jenny Tan (012-8936039).