Children with cancer under the care of the Assisi Hospice had their first taekwondo lesson under Mr Milan Kwee and Mr Lim Teong Chin on 9 November 2006.  Their faces lighted up when they donned their ‘dobok’.  Each movement taught was delivered with gusto.  And the instructors were simply proud of them. 

The taekwondo programme was introduced as a result of a request to the Singapore Taekwondo Federation (STF), the national sports association for the sport, from Ms Geraldine Lee, the Public Affairs & Volunteer Program Manager of the Hospice.  It is conducted once a week, at first, at the premises of Assisi Hopice.  Owing to space constraint at the Hospice, it was decided to move the training to the STF National Training Centre.

Said Ms Lee: “I believe the training will boost their confidence and make them mentally stronger to face their illness.”

Wanting to make a positive difference in the children’s journey with cancer, the STF Management not only approved the programme but also sponsored it in full.  What’s more, many of its coaches came forth to volunteer their services in the spirit of taekwondo.

Mr Kwee and Mr Lim decided to take responsibility for the programme.  They drew up the training plan which included a warrior’s ritual to help strengthen the participants mentally.

After four training sessions with the participants, Mr Kwee and Mr Lim were delighted with the progress. The enthusiasm displayed by the trainees was awesome.

Mr Kwee added: “We are glad to be given the opportunity to share our knowledge and make a positive difference in their lives.”

Assisi Hospice is a registered Charity and provides an integrated palliative care programme of In-Patient Care, Home Care and Day Centre Care for adults and children with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses.

On 25 November 2006, a non-taekwondo event was held at the National Training Centre.  It was a gathering which brought together children suffering from brittle bone condition, their parents, doctors and nurses.  They were there to interact, network and understand the disease better. 

The STF provided them not only the use of the place but also a demonstration as part of its entertainment segment.  What’s more, members of the national squad and their parents contributed food and drinks for the occasion.

Said Jeremy Lim, the organizing chairman of the event: “I am touched by the generosity of the taekwondo people.

“I had written to several organizations for the use of their premises only the STF gave me a positive response.  Not only that, it offered to give a performance which I could not refuse.

“When the members of the national squad and their parents found out about the gathering, they volunteered to help out.  What can I say?  I was impressed!

“On behalf of the Osteogenesis Imperfecta (Brittle Bone) Support Group, I would like to register our heartfelt thanks to the STF and all those who have contributed to the success of the event.  All of you have shown the true spirit of taekwondo.”

The STF was pleased that it could play a part in the success of a good cause.

13 coaches locked, threw and kicked their partners on 19 November 2006 at the National Training Centre to impress the assessors.  They had to do that because they were undergoing the unarmed combat accreditation assessment. 

Candidates were given 15 minutes to display their unarmed combat skills including defence against an assailant using various weapons.  After that, they were assessed on their theoretical knowledge of self-defence.

Most of the candidates could perform reasonably well.  However, they found it challenging when it came to answering the questions.

The oldest participant, seventy-year-old Mr Ong Ban Guan, proved that age was of no barrier.  He could still execute a mean throw and take a bad fall.  Although he could not outperform his younger counterparts, he certainly could draw some admiration from them for being so courageous and sporting.

Mr Milan Kwee, STF President, who witnessed the assessments conducted by Mr Lim Teong Chin and Mr Chin Khee Shin, shared his observations with the participants at the end of the session.  While he was impressed with some of the performances, he felt that some of the techniques shown were not practical.  

Mr. Kwee should know as he was trained in unarmed combat too!

The results:  All 13 coaches were accredited their respective levels ranging from Level 1 to 3.