It was something to cheer about. And that was what the participants did at the end of the 1^st National Inter-JC Poomsae Taekwondo Championships held on 13 May 2007 at Bedok Sports Hall. They cheered not only for their teams but also their ‘rival’ teams. It was indeed a sight to behold and an atmosphere to soak in as the participants had their moments.

The competition attracted 442 participants from 12 colleges. It was smoothly conducted. Most importantly, there was no protest. The teams should be commended for their outstanding display of sportsmanship.

If the tournament was any indication, the standard of poomsae performance had improved significantly. It also meant that the event was very competitive. In quite a number of categories, the top two were separated by only 0.01 point. There were a number of tie scores which had to be broken by the participants’ presentation points.

When the last prize was presented, it was clear that the top four contenders for the tournament Temasek J C, Victoria J C, Hwa Chong J C and Serangoon J C. The four colleges accounted for most of the top three places. Meridian J C and Pioneer J C are the colleges to watch in future competitions.

At the close of the event, Mr Milan Kwee, President of the STF, handed the tournament flag to the next host of the event, Temasek Junior College. Michelle Chua, Chairman of the college taekwondo club, received the flag on behalf of the college.

Said Ms Wong Liang Ming, STF Honorary Secretary: “All tournaments should go like the Inter-JC competition. The participants were like one big happy family enjoying a party. It was simply fantastic!”

The STF, the organizers of the inaugural event, would like to put on record its appreciation to the following for making the championships a resounding success.

• Mr Ho Mun Wai (Director, Singapore Sports Council)
• Dr Lee Chee Wee (CEO, Lynk Biotechnologies Pte Ltd)
• Mr and Mrs Jack and Sally Hayes (Special Guests from Florida, USA)
• Mr Steven Tan (Managing Director, Liang Seng Sports Equipment Pte Ltd)
• Mr Louis Koh
• All principals and teachers of participating colleges
• Referees and Tournament Officials

The 1^st National Inter-Junior College Poomsae Championships hosted by the Singapore Taekwondo Federation (STF) would be held on Sunday 13 May 2007 at 9.00am a Bedok Sports Hall. This event replaced the annual National Taekwondo Expose which Temasek Junior College organized with the blessings of the STF for 4 successive years.

The inaugural poomsae event attracted almost 400 participants from 12 colleges. They are

• Anderson Junior College
• Anglo-Chinese Junior College
• Catholic Junior College
• Hwa Chong Institution
• Innova Junior College
• Jurong Junior College
• Meridien Junior College
• Pioneer Junior College
• Serangoon Junior College
• Tampines Junior College
• Temasek Junior College
• Victoria Junior College

Poomsae, which inculcate the values of patience, perseverance and self-discipline, are growing in significance because the World Taekwondo Federation is actively promoting poomsae competition with a view of eventually having poomsae adopted as of the events for the taekwondo competition in the Olympics.

The overwhelming response augurs well not only for Singapore when the international profile of poomsae is elevated but also for the colleges which are collectively trying to convince the Co-Curricular Activities Board to accept the event as an inter-school tournament.

The STF would like to put on record its appreciation to all principals and teachers of participating colleges for their support.

The 1^st Singapore Open Taekwondo Championships scheduled from 6 to 8 July 2007 had been cancelled.

The organizers had no choice because the event could not attract star teams in the sport. These teams had their own plans and could not fit the Singapore Open into their schedule.

Although there were many club teams interested in the event, the organizers decided not to proceed with the competition for obvious reason. They could not get the kind of sponsorship they could with big names. After all, their aim was to make the event prestigious, grand and memorable.

On behalf of the organizers, the STF would like to put on record its thanks to all those who had given their support or shown interest in the event.

The 7^th edition of the Rosyth School Invitational Tournament will be held on Saturday, 28 July 2007 at 1.30pm at theSchool Indoor Basketball Court.

All primary schools with taekwondo as enrichment programme and recognised by the Singapore Taekwondo Federation are invited to participate in the tournament.

For more information on the competition, please contact Mr Chee Sui Lian at suilianchee@yahoo.com.sg.

The Federation would like to take this opportunity to urge all primary schools to take part in the event for the benefit of their students.