Federation applauded for upholding lion dance art
KUCHING: The Chinese New Year celebration is not complete without lion dance performances, and Daro assemblyman Safiee Ahmad is grateful to Nanyang Wushu Federation of Sarawak for its continuous efforts in maintaining, preserving and promoting this traditional art throughout the years.
He added that this was not an easy task with the advancement of science and technology in modern times, where culture and traditional arts are usually seen to be at odds with development and progress.
“The lion dance is very popular among Malaysians, regardless of race or religion. It is believed to chase away bad luck and bring prosperity to all households; thus, it is still a popular tradition every Chinese New Year,” he said at the opening of the 2017 Nanyang Wushu Festival recently.
He added that Chinese New Year is also a time for people to renew and foster closer ties with immediate family members, relatives and friends; and a joyous occasion to celebrate the beginning of the lunar new year.
It is also an opportunity to visit parents, grandparents and other relatives in their hometowns or villages, he said.
“I’m very glad that we in Malaysia still maintain this tradition of ‘balik kampung’ during festive seasons by all races.”
He was representing Assistant Minister for Urbanisation Datuk Talib Zulpilip.
Meanwhile, the federation’s grandmaster and chairman Prof Dato Sri Dr Song Swee Hee said that the non-profit Nanyang Wushu Federation of Sarawak would continue to contribute towards youth development through imparting wushu and cultural arts skills to inculcate the values of self- discipline and determination among local youths.
This is in line with the federation’s motto: ‘ Active and disciplined’.
“Our training system is well- structured with a fixed syllabus, according to a wushu grading system. This way, it will contribute to the gradual progress of the members which in turn, strengthens the body both physically and mentally.
“We have been promoting wushu for 43 years and have established more than 30 training centres around Kuching, Serian, Bau, Kota Sentosa, Kota Padawan and Samarahan,” said Prof Dr Song.
The federation also hopes to groom young wushu exponents to compete in international wushu and kung-fu championships. To date, Nanyang Wushu Federation has participated in 30 international championships organised around the world including in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Italy, US and Russia.
“So far we have won a total of 255 gold medals, 123 silver medals, 56 bronze medals, 11 copper medals, three Golden Lion Awards, two Golden Dragon Awards, two Special Sports Awards, four Best Coach Awards, one Lion King Award, one Dedicative Award, one Outstanding Team Award, one Outstanding Leadership Award and many others.”