Organisers of the Asian Martial Arts Games should be lauded
Writer: By Edward Thangarajah
Published: 9/08/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: Sports
The Asian Martial Arts Games have served as a fine eye-opener and enlightened the world that there are also participants in the various disciplines.
I am sure that they will go a long way to promote and expand self-defence in the world besides improving the morality of youngsters who follow and take part in these educative sports.
The natural talent of youngsters was revealed during the past week. I believe the Games also showed that juvenile delinquency, shooting, killing and maiming people that we see in the world today could be reduced if martial arts were encouraged and practised all over the world.
I believe half the crimes and terrorist acts which we see could be easily reduced. Governments and the media a must give martial arts greater importance and prominence to encourage youngsters to take part in these exciting arts of self-defence.
Years ago, I remember launching a campaign to promote wrestling in Sri Lanka. In the late 1950s not many took part in wrestling and there were only a handful of fans who went out to the Colombo YMCA to witness competitions.
Then I wrote about self-defence and how wrestling helps cool tempers and encourages patience. This improved the number of participants and along with it the following for the sport expanded.
What many don't understand is the wonderful character, patience, composure and calmness martial arts and all body contact sports help develop in youngsters.
It's true there are disputes and disagreements between officials but that's part and parcel of all body contact sports. As in boxing, wrestling and other disciplines, judges plus other officials may vary in their judgement of a contest, or dispute when one of their favourites lose. But that should not be held against the name of any martial arts event.
If judges and followers don't differ in body contact sports then something must be wrong with the competition. Disputes make contests lively.
Rationality and irrationality takes place among followers, supporters and judges.
I have witnessed many incidents during the many decades I have been involved with sports both as a participant and as a journalist.
I have also noticed if body contact disciplines lack disputes, then there is an imbalance. One contestant may be too strong for the other.
Thailand's performances in particular impressed me a lot. I am sure, like me, many weren't aware that there so many, outstanding jujitsu exponents in the Kingdom.
Which clearly shows that there is so little known of the talent in the country. We have left them out in the cold without focusing on them.
Therefore the media, the TV and others responsible for publicising sports should make it a point to expose this valuable talent, and inspire them to do better.
All can't be good at football, golf, athletics, boxing and other disciplines which receive publicity daily or regularly. But now we know, especially after martial arts were exposed, there are young Thai men and women, boys and girls who are talented in other disciplines, so let us publicise them too. It will be a big crime if they are left out of the limelight.
In addition to this great asset the country has, let us take into consideration the educative value of martial arts and what it imparts to youngsters. I have seen almost daily, young boys and girls down the road where I live, whiling away their time after school, drinking and smoking.
They get involved in squabbles, arguments and unpleasant scenes. No-one is there to guide or advise them. If schools don't have the space for outdoor sports, the students could be encouraged to learn martial arts, table tennis and other useful indoor disciplines which could help them devote their after school hours usefully and sensibly.
Remember that well-known saying - an ideal mind is a devil's workshop. Hence this Asian Martial Arts Games should give food for thought for many who want to help the country. All work and no play makes anyone dull.
Therefore every effort must be made to save these youngsters from becoming dull heads as they loiter and loaf around.
Those in charge of developing sports in the country must use this wonderful opportunity to encourage and publicise martial arts which will go a long way to mould youngsters and educate them to grow up to be model citizens of the world.
We need fit and strong young men and women with good characters to go into the world.
I am told that it took a long time for Thailand to organise these Asian Martial Arts Games because they lacked support and interest.
That should not be the case. Every sport, be it martial arts or any other discipline, must be encouraged. It is the paramount duty of the Sports Authority of Thailand, to pick up the baton from the success of the Asian Martial Arts Games and give more inspiration and encouragement to make all sports prosper. Thailand has so much rich talent for all sports so it would be a crime if it was allowed to go waste.
I will be failing in my duty if I don't mention the name of a veteran sports developer who was one of those who organised the Games, Maj General Charouck Arirachakaran.
He hardly seeks publicity for himself but is a silent and solid worker. The success of the Asian Martial Arts Games was largely due to his hard, tireless work.
Another wonderful aspect projected through these Games was the strength and outstanding ability displayed by the country's Muay Thai exponents.
They have once again proved that Muay Thai is the best martial art in the world. And their outstanding exhibition at the Games stamped the high standing the sport enjoys.