After the successful Chinese Taichi Coaching Program in Fiji last year, the “2011 Chinese Wushu Coaching Programme” was officially launched on 10th August. The Chinese Ambassador H.E. Mr. Huang Yong, Mrs Makereta Sauturaga, Director of Youth and Sports, Mr. John Fox, Commander of Fiji Navy, Mr Ravi Narayan, Assistant Police Commissioner together with nearly 300 learners from Fiji disciplinary forces attended the ceremony.

In his brief remarks, Ambassador Huang said that Chinese Wushu, which is an important part of the traditional Chinese culture, is not only a form of sports but also an expression of ancient philosophy of China. By learning and practicing Wushu can help to build up physical strength, willpower, skills, and enhance mutual understanding between the peoples of China and Fiji. He spoke highly of the frequent culture exchanges between China and Fiji that has effectively shortened the distance between the two peoples and promoted the cooperation in achieving a better life. He wished the “2011 Chinese Wushu Coaching Programme” in Fiji a great success.

Mrs Makereta Sauturaga expressed her warm welcome to Prof. Yu Deqiao, a senior Wushu coach from the Wuhan Sports University of China, and pointed out that the ceremony was a result of close work between the Chinese Government and the Fijian Government to continue with the Wushu coaching programme which began last year. She was confident that the initiative would help to promote mutual-understanding and friendship between the people of China and Fiji. She also encouraged the sports organizations, clubs, athletes, general public and even the rugby boys preparing for the Rugby world cup to come forward and make use of this opportunity to learn Wushu.

About 300 learners from the Fiji Police, Navy, Land force and the Correction Services of Fiji participated in the launching ceremony and the first session. Some learners who had learned Wushu before gave a wonderful performance in the ceremony and won a large applause.

The “2011 Chinese Wushu Coaching Programme” is a culture exchange program promoted and materialized by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China and the department of Youth and Sports of Fiji government. The public can join the teaching course every Saturday morning from 9:00-11:00 at the Ratu Sakura Park. The programme is expected to last about 3 months.

The “2011 Chinese Wushu Coaching Programme” came to a successful end and the closing ceremony was held in the National Gymnasium in Suva on 19th October 2011. The Chinese Ambassador H.E. Mr. Huang Yong, Mr Jale Fotofili, Permanent Secretary for Defence, National Security and Immigration, Col. Mosese Tikoitoga, Commander of Land Force, Brigadier General Ioane Naivalurua, Commissioner of Police, Lt. Col Ifereimi Vasu, Commissioner of Correctional Services together with nearly 150 learners from Fiji disciplinary forces attended the ceremony.

In his brief remarks, Ambassador Huang extended his congratulations on the successful Chinese Wushu Coaching Programme, which had been promoted and materialized by the Chinese Embassy and the Ministry of Education, National Heritage, Culture and Arts, Youth and Sports of Fiji. He pointed out that the Programme has enhanced the mutual understanding of the people and strengthened the cultural and sports exchanges in the bilateral relations between China and Fiji.

Mr Jale Fotofili said it is very encouraging that the bilateral agreements and partnership between Fiji and China have become fruitful and successful and ventured into Wushu, and the Wushu learning by Fijian people is a clear sign of expanding the cultural integration between the two countries. He was also confident that the Programme will go a long way in promoting understanding and friendship between the peoples of Fiji and China.

During the closing ceremony, about 150 learners from the Fiji Military, Police Force and Correctional Services demonstrated Chinese Wushu which they had learned from the Programme in the past two and half months.

Their perfect performance won a large applause.

The “2011 Chinese Wushu Coaching Programme” began on 10th Aug, 2011. Prof Yu had taught both the Fiji disciplinary forces and the general public Chinese Wushu.

Chinese Wushu (Kung Fu), a form of martial arts, was launched in Suva on Wednesday.

The programme was launched by the Director of Youth and Sports Makereta Sauturaga and the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Fiji, Huang Yong at the National Gymnasium. Participants of the programme were from the Fiji Police Force and the Fiji Military Force with the guidance of coach Yu Deqiao from China.

The programme will be for three months, conducted by the Chinese Wushu Association in China.

“We would like to thank the government of Fiji, the Department of Youths and

Sports.Wushu is also known as the Kung fu or Martial Arts.

“It is an important part of the traditional Chinese culture and loved by people all over the world,” Yong said.

“Learning and practising of the arts will build ones physical strength, willpower and skills.

“As many of you have also have some understanding of the Chinese people and their thinking as well and this is what this programme is supposed to achieve to enhance mutual understanding.”

Department of Youth and Sports senior officer Semi Bilitaki acknowledges the Chinese government for their support.

The martial arts programme will be opened to interested members of the public every Saturday at the Civic Centre and every Wednesday for the Police and military personnel.

http://fijisun.com.fj/2017/08/03/safety-and-discipline-from-kung-fu-classes/

Proud father and Kung Fu teacher Ram Autar watched his daughters aged 14 and eight go through a self-defence routine at a recent accreditation programme in Labasa.

Riya Autar, 14, and eight-year-old Risha Autar are members of the Kung Fu International Club in Labasa, which currently teaches martial arts to 15 children in the Northern town.

The students are also a part of the Duke of Edinburgh programme and received certificates last Sunday to move on to the next level in the bronze category at the club.

Shri GuruNanak Khalsa Primary Year Seven pupil Riya Autar said she was happy to be a part of a programme that provided her with the skills to protect herself from an attack by assailants.

“I also have plans to be a professional female boxer in the future,” Riya said.

“And secondly, being equipped with martial arts knowledge helps me protect myself from people who wish to do me harm.

Rising to prominence in the early seventies with featured appearances in the record breaking documentaries ‘World of Kung Fu’ and ‘Kung Fu Killers’ Lawrence established a kung fu school network encompassing schools throughout the Pacific.

By 1978 he had schools in every capital city in Australia and most regional cities. In 1979 he established schools in Malaysia and Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch New Zealand and then Port Moresby in PNG. Soon after he established a school in Suva in Fiji. It was the first commercial kung fu school in Fiji and helped establish Lawrence Lee as the father of kung fu in the Pacific. Even to this day it is the largest chain of kung fu schools to ever be established in the world.

The martial arts community was greatly saddened when Grandmaster Lawrence Lee lost his battle with cancer on the 2nd of July 2012.
Lawrence Lee was the founder of the kung fu system Tong Kune Do and was a foundation member of both the first kung fu organisation formed in Australia (NSW Kung Fu Association) and the first governing body for Chinese martial arts (Australian Kung Fu Federation Limited). Lawrence served as both President and Vice President of the AKF.

Lawrence was one of the kung fu teachers responsible for the conduct of the first official kung fu tournament to be conducted in Australia, at Wisemans Ferry in 1974, but perhaps his most notable achievement was when he became the first Chinese instructor to openly teach Non Chinese students – his courageous and principled stand broke down the centuries old racial barriers that typified the teaching of kung fu, his public comment that “the difference between a racist and a fool is exactly nothing” quickly quietened his critics from the traditional Chinese kung fu community.
Lawrence has been nominated for a posthumous Life Time Achievement award.