THE Penang Goshin-Ryu Karate Federation is holding a three-day training camp at Gurney Hotel in George Town from today until Friday in conjunction with its 42nd anniversary celebration.
About 250 karatekas from United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and various states in Malaysia as well as a seven-member team from the Malaysian Police are taking part.
“The camp is a good opportunity to groom talents, share ideas, promote goodwill and friendship,” Penang State Sports Council president Frederick Tan, who represented Batu Lancang assemblyman Ong Ah Teong, said in his speech.
“The support of the parents is very important and the young children must be grateful to them. I understand we’ve participants from as young as five years old.”
Also present were Malaysia Karate Goshin-Ryu president Datuk Clement Soo, Penang Karate Federation president Datuk Patrick Lim, who also helms the Penang Goshin-Ryu Association, and Malaysian Police Karate Association secretary ASP Sokhibul Helmy.
Lim, who has been involved with the development of karate in the state for the past four decades, said a team of national instructors, former national and current athletes are helping to conduct the camp.
“Our main purpose is to expose the young ones and introduce new ideas as they learn an effective and safe karate. We also cater to high-level karatekas who want to improve,” Lim said.
Among those helping out are national coaches Ku Jin Keat and Lim Lee Lee, who both played pivotal roles in guiding Penang to a clean sweep of four gold medals at Sukma (Malaysia Games) for four straight editions.
Two-year-old Alanis Kaylee Yeoh, in full karate gear, caught the eye as she followed her parents – former national athletes Yeoh Swee King and Agnes Tan – and elder sister, Annabelle Kayla Yeoh, five, to the camp.
Another young participant, Meryllynn Cheong Yi Xian, seven, who is the daughter of Penang State Sports Council public relations officer Carolyn Ooi, showed great enthusiasm as she could not wait for the camp to begin.
There were many adults too, including Malaysia Police instructors Insp Mohd Isa Mahat, Insp K. Poovanesvaran, Sjn Shamsul Alias Jaafar, Kpl Shardee Baijuri, L/Kpl J. Sharma and L/Kpl S. Moenraj.
Story & pix by K.H. Ong