KUCHING: Kuching South City Council Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng is holding out hope that Sarawak’s dragon and lion art culture can reach a higher standard through professional training.
The dragon and lion art culture is an integral part of Chinese cultural heritage, he said.
“It is not just a cultural symbol, it also serves as a form of physical exercise and a spiritual heritage where an individual learns both the movements and techniques as well as the wisdom and spirit it embodies.”
In this respect he said dragon and lion dance judges hold significant responsibility, requiring extensive knowledge, skills, impartiality, and high ethical standards.
“And this training course is designed to enhance their confidence and judging proficiency,” said at the closing of National Lion Art Referee Training Course here.
“Today’s graduation marks a significant step forward in your journey as dragon and lion art judges, where every decision will influence the outcome of the competition and may even impact the careers of the dragon and lion art athletes.
“Remember the knowledge and experience during this training, and always ensure fairness, justice, and transparency, contributing to the development of martial arts.”
The Lien Heng Wushu Association trained future lion dance judges in the first locally organised National Lion Art Referees Training Course here.
Wee was confident the training improved the trainees’ judging skills and gave them a deeper understanding of the spirit within the arts’ culture.
“I believe it is an excellent initiative by the Lien Heng Wushu Association to organise this localised training, ensuring these 32 trainees from Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu, and Miri will be recognised as judges,” he said, confident there will thus be no shortage of judges.
Association chairman, Ronny Chin, the Chairman of the National Consumer Action Council, Wynson Ong and the Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) representative, Sih Hua Tong, were also in attendance at the closing ceremony.
