Doing his rounds to the various pavilions set up at the Singapore Botanic Gardens on 22 September 2007, PM Lee Hsien Loong instantly recognised the one by the Singapore Taekwondo Federation (STF). When he spotted it, he exclaimed: “Taekwondo! Taekwondo!”
The event: The launching of the National Healthy Lifestyle Campaign 2007. And PM Lee was there as the guest of honour.
PM Lee not only showed that he could identify the uniform with the sport but also demonstrated his understanding of the sport etiquette.
When he approached the pavilion, STF President Milan Kwee led a group of demonstrators in extending their greeting and respect to PM Lee by bowing to him. PM Lee promptly stood at attention and returned the courtesy.
After speaking briefly with Mr Kwee, PM Lee obliged the members with a group picture.
The Management Committee of the Singapore Taekwondo Federation (STF), in its recent meeting, approved the application of the Singapore Association for the Deaf for four (4) of its clients to be granted exemption from paying the grading fees.
Although it is a small contribution, it is part of a larger objective of the STF to play a more active role in helping taekwondo students with special needs.
Currently, the STF is running a special taekwondo programme at the Assisi Hospice. The programme at the Singapore Association for the Deaf is conducted by Brian Peh, an instructor of Zen TKD (an STF affiliate).
While the Assisi programme is known internationally among the Children’s Hospice community, the taekwondo exponents at the Singapore Association hope to make their mark in the Deaflympic Games in Taipei in 2009.
The STF wishes them the best and is honoured to be given the opportunity to share its expertise and resources with the community.
Nineteen (19) participants in the Grading Preparation Workshop held on 16 September 2007 went home feeling more confident taking their coming grading.
Why not? They were clear about the examiners’ expectations and assessments.
What’s more, they were given a chance to perform in front of examiners who would be assessing them.
The senior examiners – Chin Khee Shin, Steven Soh and R Jeyaraman – gave their individual comments on areas the candidates were required to improve to increase their chances of passing. Other examiners were also on hand to give the participants more attention. With the presence of Tan Cheng Hui, Tan Kok Heng, Wong Liang Ming and Lim Teong Chin, the ratio of instructor to students worked out to be almost 1:2.
The practical session was preceded by a talk which covers, among other things, the candidates’ responsibilities and instructors’ obligations. The candidates also learned that instructors, by fulfilling their obligations, could make a significant difference in their students’ performances at the grading.
Said R Jeyaraman: “I believe that the workshop is beneficial to the participants. It will also make it easier for us to pass them if they deliver what we expect of them.”
Participants of the 18th Children’s Hospice International World Congress were awestruck by the breathtaking performances of the taekwondo warriors from Assisi Hospice.
The warriors demonstrated on 7 September 2007 at Pan Pacific Hotel during the dinner held for the participants. They showed off their skills, strength and spirit and earned the thunderous applause from the spectators.
While all the performers were clearly well ahead in skills for their grades, Diniy outshone the rest in the display of awesome power. Despite his puny frame, he broke boards with both foot and hand techniques. He was pure ‘dynamite’ in his taekwondo uniform.
If there was an award for fighting spirit, Wei Hao would have won hands down. His legs were weak but not his spirit. He showed what he could do with four assailants. Although he took a fall in the process of defending himself, he did not grimace or cringe. Like a true warrior, he went on ‘fighting’ much to the delight of the crowd.
Once again, the taekwondo warriors had done Assisi Hospice and STF proud!
After reading these announcements, the Singapore Taekwondo Federation (STF) urges all affiliates to plan their coach and equipment requirements for next year’s competitions.
Tournament Coach Passes
The Management Committee reviewed the current way of issuing event coach passes and found that it was not efficient and effective.
It has decided to issue tournament coach passes instead. The passes are classified as follows.
Tournament Coach Pass (Special)
Tournament Coach Pass (Kyorugi)
Tournament Coach Pass (Poomsae)
Coaches who hold at least a taekwondo coaching (level 1) certificate and a poomsae coach certificate will be eligible for the tournament coach pass (special). Those who have only the taekwondo coaching certification or NCAP technical certification will be eligible for the tournament coach pass (kyorugi) only. The tournament coach pass (poomsae) will be for those who have only the poomsae coach qualification.
The passes are valid for three years and must be worn by coaches involved in any tournament organized or sanctioned by the Singapore Taekwondo Federation (STF).
Qualified coaches who wish to apply for the passes must attend a briefing which will be conducted on Saturday 27 October 2007 from 5.00pm to 7.00pm at the National Training Centre. Please call Jolene or Theresa at 63451491 during office hours to register your interest in participating in the briefing.
STF members who obtain their coaching qualification later will be issued the passes on successful completion of their courses.
Head Gear and Body Protectors
For future championships, the STF will not loan out any more head and body protective equipment. Affiliates are advised to make their own arrangement to obtain the approved equipment.
What has nature walk to do with taekwondo? Read on.
The Singapore Taekwondo Federation (STF) Welfare and Social Committee under the leadership of Mr Tan Kok Heng will be organizing a MacRitchie Tree Top Walk to nurture team spirit and family and community bonding among taekwondo members through nature walk.
It is also to provide an opportunity for taekwondo members to have a deeper appreciation of nature and a greater understanding of the need to protect the natural environment.
Although it has nothing to do with taekwondo, it has a lot to do with what the STF is trying to do for its members. The nature walk can and will contribute to the development of taekwondo members as better citizens.
The event is subsidized by the STF and open to all members of affiliates and their families. The details are as follows.
19 poom belts spent their Sunday morning at the National Training Centre perfecting their poomsae performance. They were participating in the poomsae programme for poom belts.
The workshop held on 9 September 2007 was conducted by Lim Teong Chin. He was assisted by Tan Cheng Hui, Tan Kok Heng and Wong Liang Ming.
Among other things, the participants learned how to execute the various stances and movements accurately. More importantly, they knew from the session what to do if they wanted to excel in poomsae performance.
What’s more, participants were also taught the differences between poomsae performed during grading and poomsae performed during competition. Therefore, they should be more knowledgeable in poomsae than other poom belts who missed the workshop.
For their effort, the participants were awarded a certificate of participation by Mrs Janet Ong, a member of the STF Parents’ Committee.
The participants were as follows:
Acme TKD Jeric Ang Shi Cheng Daniel Koh Shi Wei Darren Koh Shi Hao Keith Ong Jin Cong Kang Rui Jie Kang Jun Jie Vincent Lim Hong Bin Lim Yang Zhi
Elite TKD Low Tseng Yang Marcus Emil
St Teresa TKD Tan Hui Yi Tan Wei Han Tan Wei Yang Jarod Chia Sheng Yi
Zenith TKD AngWei Lin Chia Cheng Min Crystal Muhammad Fariduan Bin Powzan Shafawi B Shamsudin Siti Norfaeqah Binte Powzan Wee Jie Ning
Wong Liang Ming was recently awarded the IOC Women and Sport Achievement Diploma by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). It was in recognition of her contribution to the participation of women and girls in the sport.
After retiring from competitive taekwondo, she devoted her time selflessly promoting the sport as an administrator and enhancing the standard of participants as the national coach. Her effort has in many ways help to develop, encourage and strengthen the participation of women and girls in sport taekwondo.
Her current function includes Vice-Chairman of the Asian Taekwondo Union (ATU) Women’s Committee, Committee Member of the Singapore Sports Council Women & Sport Group, Hon Secretary of the Singapore Taekwondo Federation (STF), Chairman of the Coaching Committee of the STF and National Coach (STF).
The ATU recommended Liang Ming to the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) for the IOC Women and Sport Trophy award. After considering recommendations from the other continental taekwondo unions, the WTF nominated Liang Ming.
After considering 65 nominations from National Olympic Committees and International Olympic Sports Federation, the IOC Women and Sport Commission awarded Liang Ming the achievement diploma. The world trophy went to Portia Simpson Miller, the first female Prime Minister of Jamaica.
Liang Ming joins tennis great Steffi Graf, the holder of 22 Grand Slam singles titles, as one of the recipients of the award. She also becomes the first and only taekwondo exponent in the world to have been recognised for the award.
The STF is proud of the honour she has brought to Singapore and congratulates her on the achievement.
The top three Clubs in the Pesta Sukan National Taekwondo Championships remained the top three Clubs with a slight different.
The events held over two weekends – 11 & 12 August 2007 and 25 & 26 August 2007 – saw intense exchanges and rivalry among Acme Taekwondo, Aljunied CC and Yio Chu Kang CC. While Aljunied and Yio Chu Kang as a common mission of toppling Acme, Acme had a different idea. It was bent in ensuring that they stayed its bridesmaid.
When the last kick in the tournament was executed and the medals tallied, Acme emerged tops again with 10 gold, 8 silver and 5 bronze medals. The haul was 5 (2 gold and 3 bronze) medals fewer than what it collected last year.
In the rush for the number one position, Yio Chu Kang managed to overtake Aljunied for the second spot with 8 gold, 9 silver and 6 bronze medals. The collection was far better than what it had last year – 6 gold, 5 silver and 5 bronze medals.
Aljunied had to be contented with the third placing. It netted 6 gold, 4 silver and 8 bronze medals. As compared to last year, it had 3 (2 gold and 1 bronze) fewer.
The three Clubs also walked with the following titles.
Young Junior (F) – Acme Taekwondo
Young Junior (M) – Aljunied CC
Junior (F) – Acme Taekwondo
Junior (M) – Acme Taekwondo
Senior (M) – Yio Chu Kang CC
The only title that eluded their grasp was the Senior (F) category. It went to NUS TKD.
Said Mr Lee Thiam Poh, Chairman of the Tournament Committee: “I am relieved when the championships came to an end. Most importantly, I am glad that the four-day event which attracted almost 800 participants was successfully staged.
“I would like to thank Mr Milan Kwee, STF President, all officials, referees, team managers, coaches, players and spectators for their support and assistance in making this championship a memorable and rewarding one for all.”
The Singapore Taekwondo Federation will be organizing a Grading Preparation Workshop to help Brown 1 (Junior and Senior) and higher to prepare for their grading.
The workshop, which will be conducted by an examiner, will give participants the answer to the frequently asked question: What must I do to pass the grading? It will also provide an opportunity for participants to clarify any doubts or reservations they may have about
Feedback on the performance of participants will also be provided to help them to correct their weaknesses themselves.
The details of the workshop are as follows.
Date : Sunday 16 September 2007
Time : 9am to 12noon
Place : National Training Centre (NTC)
Dress Code : ‘Dobok’
Certification : Certificate of Participation
Fee : $30
Closing Date: Tuesday 11 September 2007
The registration form is attached.
For those who will be driving, please note that parking is free at the NTC on Sunday.
