Mr Kris Wiluan, President of ASEAN Taekwondo Federation (ATF) and Patron of the Singapore Taekwondo Federation (STF), has great plans for taekwondo in the ASEAN region.

His idea includes the recruitment of a Korean Taekwondo Coach. The coach would be based at Citramas in Batam, about 5 to 10 minutes from Nongsa Ferry Terminal. The terminal is about half hour by ferry from Singapore Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal.

Among other things, the primary function of the Korean coach is to train coaches in the region. Mr Wiluan believes that the taekwondo standard in the region will invariably improve with better quality coaches. The STF would also be involved in the selection of the coach.

The Citramas taekwondo training facilities would be activated soon with the co-operation of the STF. The centre is also an ideal place for clubs in the ASEAN region to organize training camps.

To translate his idea into reality, Mr Wiluan called for a meeting of officials on 12 October 2008 at Turi Beach Resort. Mr Kris Wiluan, Pak Burhan, Mr Reggy Djakarya, Mr Milan Kwee (STF President) and Mr Lim Teong Chin (ATF Secretary-General and STF GM) attended the historic meeting.

Mr Kwee and Mr Lim will be in Korea at the end of the month to attend several meetings with officials of the World Taekwondo Federation, the Asian Taekwondo Union and Kukkiwon. During the visit they will scout for a suitable coach.

It looks like a beginning of an exciting time for taekwondo in the region.

It is with deep sadness that the Singapore Taekwondo Federation records the untimely and sudden passing of Ong Ban Guan. He apparently succumbed to a heart attack. The news came as a shock to members of the Federation.

Ong, who was in the pink of health despite his age, was at the Federation’s office only a few days ago exchanging good-natured banter with the staff. That was him. He was well-liked by many people simply because he was friendly and pleasant to be with.

All his friends will certainly miss him. After all, he was a jolly good fellow.

As for his students, they would also miss his teaching and guidance. Ong was a good coach who believed in self-development. He was also an exemplary taekwondo exponent – humble, respectful and compassionate.

The STF could always depend on him for support. His death is a loss to the organisation.

The STF sends its condolences to Ong’s bereaved family and wishes them strength in coping with their tremendous and heartbreaking loss.

Ong’s wake is at Blk 771, Bedok Reservoir View.

Farewell, Ong, farewell. And thanks for the memories.  

Mr Milan Kwee, President of the Singapore Taekwondo Federation (STF), met Dr Lau Teik Soon, the first STF President, at lunch on 17 September 2008. He was accompanied by other senior officials – Mr Steven Soh, Mr RA Jeyaraman, Mr Chin Khee Shin and Mr Lim Teong Chin – who knew Dr Lau during the STF formative years.

After briefly catching up on their lives, they talked about the development of the STF and the direction the organisation should take. Dr Lau was visibly happy that the STF was doing well and was positioned to achieve more successes.

As the first President in 1974, Dr Lau had an unenviable task of getting the clubs which were at loggerheads to come together under the STF, a newly formed national sports association. He succeeded in doing so during his watch simply because of his outstanding leadership. After passing the baton to the next President, LTC Jimmy Yap, in 1978, he became STF Advisor until he was succeeded by Mr Heng Chieng Meng.

From the conversation, one thing stood out: Dr Lau still has the STF interest at heart.