Mandalay promotes Myanmar martial arts among youth

Photo: Thiha Ko Ko

WITH the aim of promoting and conserving Myanmar martial arts techniques among younger generations, the Mandalay Region Sports and Physical Education Committee held the Myanmar Thaing Bando Competition of All Myanmar Thaing Associations Chairman’s Cup in Mandalay on 28 February.

Present at the opening ceremony were officials from the Mandalay Region Sports and Physical Education Department, members of the Regional Myanmar Thaing Subcommittee, members of the Myanmar Thaing Clubs in Mandalay and contestants.

An official from the Mandalay Region Sports and Physical Education Department gave an opening speech, and the joint secretary of Myanmar Thaing Subcommittee elaborated the contest rules. After the contest, officials presented awards to the winners.

Sixty participants from the 12 central Myanmar Thaing clubs took part in the contest.

The contest was held on 28 and 29 February.

Myanmar Thaing, or Myanmar traditional martial arts, originated more than two thousand years ago during the reign of King Okkalapa, who ruled Dagon, the old city of Yangon. Myanmar Thaing has been an official art of self-defence cherished and practised among warriors of the royal army through different eras and dynasties. It was one of the eighteen compulsory specialisations of royal princes in ancient times, and it was used in Myanmar’s early nation building and defence, but it declined during the colonial era, after the country lost its independence

After independence, Myanmar Thaing was revived by patriotic professionals, and the Myanmar Thaing Institute in Yangon was established in 1958 by the world-class weight lifter U Zaw Wait.

Several institutions are involved in conserving the practice today.—Thiha Ko Ko (Mdy)