Mandalay promotes Myanmar martial
arts among youth
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| 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)
