By Alen Kee
Youths urged to join martial arts clubs
TAWAU: The district's KanazawaRyu Karate-Do Association is calling for youths to join martial arts clubs that promote physical fitness, unity and self defence in view of declining membership among the younger generation lately.
District association chairman, Gani Zelika said there are many such bodies that are experiencing declining interest from the younger generation in the sport. He called on parents to play a crucial part in getting their children interested
He said in the past, associations used to get membership from many youngsters but today despite the many advantages associations could offer in moral education, discipline and self defence, interest is waning.
Parents should consider sending their children to such institutions that play a role in uniting the many races in the country and bringing them closer for a common goal, Gani said during the association first installation recently.
He said the association emphasised respect for each other regardless of the individual's race or religion as demanded by its founder.
The association with over 150 members in the district appointed former member of parliament Datuk Geoffrey Yee Lung Fook as its first honorary chairman for his continuous support to the association.
Gani said Yee has been very supportive to the body since the 90s and his support had brought many benefits to the association today.
Other members of the society who played a crucial role in the association and were honoured during the installation were William Cheang Vui Leong who was inducted as a honorary member and Dr Priyadarshi and Hong Chia Chang as medical advisors.
The committee for the association were Gani Zelika (chairman), Raymond Sung Kok Loong (vice chairman), Wong Siaw Fong (secretary), Luke Chaung Hau (treasurer), Chong Nyuk Yen, Misba Masri, Stepanus Parulanan, The Vun Cheak, Cosmas Chieng Ching Hua (committee members).
The event was officiated by Sabah Minister of Youth and Sports, Datuk Haji Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titingan, who was represented by Sarman Amat Simito.