Instructor reveals growing interest in taekwondo
SIBU: An increasing number of students are taking up taekwondo as thei r favourite pastime, according to Rejang Taekwondo Club ( RTC) founder and chief instructor Thomas Tang.
He attributed the development mainly to the Education Ministry’s 1Student1Sport programme.
“Since the 1Student1Sport programme, the taekwodno sport is fast growing in popularity,” he told The Borneo Post.
Another reason, he added, is that it is a sport for all races.
In RTC, he revealed, there are around 500 students actively involved taekwondo at RTC, with some as young as seven years old.
“T h e y c ome f r om a l l communities and that is one strong factor that helps unite the people of Sarawak.”
RTC was established in 2005 with its members from primary and secondary schools in the central region.
Among these are SMK Chung Cheng, SMK Lanang, SMK Kwong Hua, SMK Dalat, SMK Oya, SMK Tiong Hin and SM Wong Nai Siong, SJK Chung Cheng, SJK Su Lai, SJK Thai Kwang, SJK Sacred Heart Chinese, SJK Chung Hua, SK St John, SK St Mary, SJK Dung Sang and SJK Chin Hua.
Over the years the club has produced many high performing participants.
“Some of our exponent s represented the state and won gold medals in the Malaysia Games in the past editions.”
Tang is extending an invitation to more students to take up the sport, saying it will help shape their character and insti l l discipline.
“Taking part in healthy sport and having a chance to represent the country in any international tournament is the dream of any exponent.
“At RTC, if you can prove yourself to have championship material, you are assured of the opportunity to represent the country,” he said.