‘Golden lions’ usher in Year of the Rooster
KUCHING: The Chinese Martial Art Association ( CMAA) has unveiled a pair of glittering ‘golden lions’ to welcome the ‘Year of the Rooster 2017’.
CMAA advisor emeritus Datuk Yong Khoon Seng led the ceremony at the Tua Pek Kong Temple here to present offerings and prayers as well as to seek blessings for a prosperous and peaceful year.
Yong commended the association for its efforts in preserving and promoting wushu, dragon and lion dances, as well as Chinese arts and culture among the younger generation.
CMAA president Chester Lim expressed his appreciation for the support from the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Solidarity, as well as various government agencies such as Youth and Sports Department, Sarawak Sports Corporation and Sarawak Sports Council which had allowed the association to flourish.
He assured all that the CMAA would continue with its pro- active stance in promoting youth participation in healthy cultural activities and sports to preserve the state’s diverse heritage and promote it on the global stage.
Yong dotted the ‘eyes of the lions’ in a traditional ceremony, supposedly to ‘awaken’ them.
The new lions sponsored by Oriental Culture Arts and Crafts put up an impromptu performance after the ceremony.
Those present at the event later observed a minute of silence in remembering the late Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem.
Among those present were CMAA founder Master Law Kaw Chai and Sarawak Dragon- Lion Dance and Wushu Association president Matthew Lee King Choon.