A national selection of poomsae performers was conducted on 26 July 2009, the anniversary date of the inception of the Singapore Taekwondo Federation (STF). It was to pick the best available to form the national poomsae training squad.

The following were selected.

• Junior Male (14 to 18 years old)

–          Kang Rui Jie

• Junior Female (14 to 18 years old)

–          Chiew Wen Qi

–          Chelsa Sim

• 1^st Senior Male (19 to 30 years old)

–          Mudh Fadhil

–          Samuel Lee

• 1^st Senior Female (19 to 30 years old)

–          Samantha Tan

–          Joyce Lim

–          Ananurmelati

• 2^nd Senior Male (31 to 40 years old)

–          Lai Han Seng

–          Leon Koh

For the start, the squad will train every Sunday from 2pm to 4pm. The training frequency will increase when it becomes clear that the members will be preparing for a competition.

Although the members had been selected for the training squad, it did not mean that they would be automatically selected for overseas assignments. As only the best would be selected to represent Singapore, there would be open selection for every international tournament the STF wished to field participants.

There would, however, be exceptions to the rule. Nevertheless, training squad members would have advantage over the others when they were assessed as equally good.

The first training session would be on Sunday 2 August 2009.

The 33rd Annual General Meeting will be held on Saturday, 25 July 2009 at 2.30pm at the STF National Training Centre, Block 80 Lorong Limau, #04-191 Singapore 320080.

All affiliates are kindly requested to send a representative to the meeting.

The Singapore Taekwondo Federation (STF) would like to put on record its condolences to the bereaved family and loved ones of Vincent Tan who passed away on 9 July 2009. He died as a result of an unfortunate taekwon-do incident during a tournament which is technically supported by the Singapore Taekwon-do Gymnasium.

The Gymnasium is NOT an affiliate of the STF. None of the participating clubs in the tournament is recognized by the STF.

Members of the STF are deeply saddened by the untimely death of Vincent and wish his family, relatives and friends strength to overcome their tremendous loss.

The Singapore Taekwondo Federation is NOT INVOLVED in the unfortunate and serious incident reported in the local media.

The tournament was jointly organized by Greenville RC and Kg Ubi-Kembangan CSC and technically supported by the Singapore Taekwon-Do Gymnasium. None of the participating clubs including the Gymnasium is affiliated to the STF.

All affiliated clubs of the STF are aware of the premium placed by STF on the safety of its participants in all its activities. After all, the STF is cognizant that it is accountable for every participant’s safety. Therefore, it does not compromise on its safety standards.

Here are some of the measures taken by the STF to ensure the safety of its participants in the PA-STF Championships.

• All coaches and players must be conversant with the competition rules and regulations.
• For juniors and young juniors, head kicks are strictly not allowed.
• Players can only compete in their respective belt and weight categories.
• Sparing competition is only for Red, Poom and Black belts. There is no sparring for Blue belt and lower grades.
• Red belt holders are allowed to compete in the category for only two years.
• Players must declare if they have other martial arts qualifications.
• Safety equipment including head gear, body protector, mouth piece, groin guard, shin and forearm guards and gloves are mandatory.
• Sparring must be conducted on WTF-approved mats.
• All referees must be trained and qualified by the STF or the WTF.
• Qualified medical staff must be present throughout the competition.
• An ambulance must be on standby at all times.

All members of the STF should continue to observe the principles of sports safety to ensure safe and positive experience in the sport.

The Singapore Taekwondo Federation plans to start a national poomsae training squad to prepare poomsae performers for various regional and international competitions.

A selection will be conducted on 26 July 2009 at 2pm at the National Training Centre for suitable performers to form a nucleus for the training squad. The squad will be expanded at a later stage.

If you are 14 years old and older, hold a poom or black belt and are interested to represent Singapore in international poomsae competitions, you should register through your clubs for participation in the selection.

Clubs with interested members (must be Singapore Citizens) should complete the attached forms and submit them to the STF Secretariat by Wednesday 22 July 2009.

All selected performers are expected to commit at least 10 hours a week for training.