3rd Asian University Taekwondo Championship officially opens

KOTA KINABALU – The 3^rd Asian University Taekwondo Championship officially started on 11^th Oct.. The Opening Ceremony was staged at 9h30 in the Chancellor Hall of University Malaysia Sabah.

The dignitaries present at the Opening Ceremony were AUSF Assessor Preecha Prayoonpat as AUSF President Representative, Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Higher Education of Malaysia Hon. Datuk Hj. Omar Abd. Rahman, Deputy Vice Chancellor and President of Malaysia University Sports Council (MASUM) Hon. Assoc. Prof. Datuk Dr. Hj. Kasim Hj. Md. Mansur, Deputy Under Secretary of Sports Division of the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia Dr. Ahmad Naim Ismail, Secretary General of ASEAN University Sports Council Mr. Mohammad Muhd. Hanif, Secretary General of MASUM Mr. Mohd. Asyraaf Abdullah. Also the board members of MASUM were also invited to the Opening Ceremony.

Malaysia is a founding member of AUSF. It unswervingly supported the development of AUSF since establishment. For building up the brand-name of some popular events, Malaysia hosted the Taekwondo Championship and will host the 3^rd Asian University Football Championship in Kula Lumpur in 2013.

The Opening Ceremony started with the march-in of the participating teams. It was the Referee team who marched past first, then followed by the China, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and finally host Malaysia. It was the Volunteer team who marched past as the last team. Their cheers and acclaims abounded in the Chancellor Hall. It should be highlighted that Team Nepal finally made its trip to Sabah. It was the first time for Nepal to participate in an AUSF event.

As the Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Assoc. Prof. Datuk Dr. Hj. Kasim Hj. Md. Mansur delivered his welcome speech, expressing his gratitude to AUSF for bestowing upon UMS for hosting this event and to the Ministry of Higher Education for the support. He also accentuated the important role of sports in Education. “I have always believed that sports play an important role in education along with classroom lectures. In the university’s effort to produce wholesome and global individuals of the highest quality, we have not forsaken but encourage the development of physical health. We aim to produce graduates who not only excel in their academic pursuit but also in sports and curricular activities. We hope that this event will lead to strengthening our friendship and the sharing of various experiences.” Finally, he wished all the participants could take time to savor the beauty of Sabah, renowned as “the Land below the Wind”.

As the AUSF President Representatives, Mr. Preecha Prayoonpat expressed the gratitude to Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia, MASUM and USM for their support towards to AUSF, to all the participants for their attendance and to the Organizing Committee for the wonderful organization. He hoped the friendship among Asian youth could be strengthened during this championship.

As the highest authority representative, Hon. Datuk Hj. Omar Abd. Rahman made his speech, thanking AUSF for attributing this event to Malaysia. He said “this championship is not solely about determining who the winner or championship is. Most importantly, it indirectly educates students and athletes that success can only be achieved through effort, perseverance, planning and sacrifices. There is no easy success except by continuous struggle and determination”. Finally, he hoped all the participants could bring back home their sweet experience and unforgettable memories and share them with the families and friends. After his speech, he declared the 3^rd Asian University Taekwondo Championship open.

After the AUSF flag was hoisted, Hon. Datuk Hj. Omar Abd. Rahman presented a souvenir to all the participating teams and received the souvenir from AUSF presented by Mr. Preecha Prayoonpat.

The Opening Ceremony ended with the Oath of the athletes and referees representatives.

In the cultural performance session, the students from UMS performed a very creative traditional dance showcasing the colorful and harmonious Malaysian life.

For more news on the competition, please keep on visiting .

(Source: Laura YAN, AUSF General Coordinator)