Over 1,000 to perform at Kuching Festival martial arts show

KUCHING: A total of 1,440 participants from 11 teams will take part in the Kuching Festival Martial Arts Display at the Sarawak Hockey Stadium along Jalan Padungan on Aug 11.

The teams are Sarawak Taiji Qiqong Shibashi Association who are sending 640 participants, Rumpun Silat Sarawak ( 250), Persatuan Taekwondo Negeri Sarawak WTF ( 250) , Wushu Federation of Sarawak ( 50), Persatuan Perguruan Seni Si lat Gerak Kuntau Betawi ( 50), Persatuan Silambam (15), Kuching City North Commission ( 30), Persatuan Seni Silat Cekak Pusaka Uztaz Hanafi Sarawak ( 3 5 ) , Jabatan Bomba Dan Pergerakan Tabuan Jaya ( 40), Angkatan Tentera Malaysia ( 50) and Persatuan Muaythai Sarawak ( 30).

“This annual event is organised in conjunction with the Kuching Festival and we are celebrating its 30th anniversary this year,” said event organising chairman Councillor Azizi Morni.

“We are pleased to see more teams and participants this year which I believe the performances will be very lively and exciting,” he added.

According to him, t here were nine teams with a total of 1,335 participants in last year’s display.

“The main obj e c t ive o f organising this event is to propel unity among the people of Sarawak.

“It is good to see that there are now non- Chinese playing traditional Chinese martial arts such as wushu and taiji qiqong shibashi.

“Some Sukma athletes from taekwondo, wushu, muaythai and silat are expected to perform in this martial arts display too,” said Azizi in a press conference at Kuching South City Council ( MBKS) yesterday.

“Certificates will be presented to all the participants and we are hoping that more people will come to watch the display and bring along their family members to make this event merrier.

“Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian will grace the event together with our mayor Dato James Chan who is also expected to participate in the taiji qiqong shibashi show,” he added.

Azizi took the opportunity to thank Cash Sweep for sponsoring the event.

Azizi (seated left) and organising secretary Tay Guan Huat with the committee members and representatives of participating teams.