By Sim YH
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, SEPT 25 – Junior wushu athletes from 50 countries and regions began competing and performing in the 9th World Youth Wushu Championship, 2024 in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam.
In connection with that, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (KKBS) in collaboration with the Brunei Darussalam Wushu Federation held the Official Opening Ceremony of the 9th Youth Wushu Championship, 2024 which took place at the Indoor Stadium, Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex, today.
Present to complete the inauguration of the tournament was the Acting Minister of KKBS, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Muhammad Juanda bin Haji Abdul Rashid.
Also present at the ceremony were Permanent Secretary (Culture and Sports), KKBS, Pengiran Haji Mohd Hasnan bin Pengiran Haji Ali Hassan as Co-Chairman of the Executive Committee of the 9th World Youth Wushu Championship; Permanent Secretary (Youth), KKBS, Haji Zakaria bin Haji Serudin; Vice President of Brunei Darussalam Wushu Association, Dr Muhammad Firdaus bin Abdul Rahman as Co-Chairman of the Executive Committee of the 9th World Youth Wushu Championship; permanent secretaries, representatives of the National Olympic Council of Brunei Darussalam, athletes and the Working Committee of the 9th World Youth Wushu Championship.
The ceremony began with a parade of athletes and technical officials from 50 countries and regions participating in the tournament and continued with the singing of the Brunei Darussalam National Anthem and the official song of the International Wushu Federation (IWUF).
In his welcome speech, Dr Muhammad Firdaus stated that the tournament is more than just a competition, it is an event celebrating the spirit of Wushu that unites all.
He added that Wushu is not only about discipline or skill, it is about testing the limits and inspiring each other to achieve success.
Therefore, he is confident that each participant will not only display their extraordinary talent but also the courage, dedication and respect that make Wushu a special martial art.
Dr Muhammad Firdaus also called on the participants to reflect on the great values ​​promoted by Wushu which are integrity, solidarity, peace and harmony which are powerful forces to promote understanding and unity.
The ceremony also witnessed a speech from the Vice President of the International Wushu Federation (IWUF), Anthony Goh.
The next ceremony witnessed the reading of the athlete’s pledge by Awang Lim Wan Xin and the reading of the jury’s pledge by Marcus Alves from Brazil followed by the opening of the tournament by the Honorable Dato Seri Setia Haji Muhammad Juanda.
The event was also graced with a special performance which was hadrah from PGS RMF Music Academy, Brunei Traditional Dance from Sayyidina Abu Bakar Middle School, Brunei Darussalam Wushu Athletes, Chinese Traditional Dance from Chung Hwa Middle School, BSB and ended with the Theme Song Young Wushu Warriors from PGS RMF Music Academy.
The 9th World Junior Wushu Championship, 2024 will be held starting today, September 25 to 29 by competing in two categories which are events Taolu held at the Indoor Stadium, Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex as well as events Sanda which took place at the Multipurpose Hall, Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex.
The tournament is also an official world championship event organized by the International Wushu Federation (International Wushu Federation – IWUF) which takes place every 2 years and is the official peak youth tournament of the IWUF.
