SKAS chief named WSF representative
Published on: Saturday, March 25, 2023
By: Jinni Juanis
Simon showing his appointment letter.
Kota Kinabalu: Shotokan Karate Association of Sabah (SKAS) achieved another milestone in its history with the appointment of its head to an important position recently.Simon Chia, its president, was appointed as the World Shotokan Federation (WSF) Malaysia representative by the WSF Executive Committee.
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The WSF is an internationally recognised organisation with a strong presence in Europe and a large number of member countries. Simon expressed his gratitude and said he felt honoured to have been selected for the position.
“There are many other qualified candidates. But my selection was indeed an honour,” he said in a statement.
In his correspondence with Vice President of WSF, Hayrettin Hamurcu, he emphasised that the appointment would provide SKAS with the opportunity to gain experiences in a larger arena, ultimately benefiting its members and the State.
In addition to his appointment, Simon was also authorised by the WSF to conduct DAN grading examinations for Malaysia. DAN is level or degree of expertise in martial arts field.
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All DAN holders are required to register with the WSF, which provides high value and credential to its members.
Furthermore, this appointment would enable SKAS to attract more international groups to the State, as the organisation is known for its diverse participation from different countries and clubs when organising events.
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Simon pledged to do his best to promote the WSF in the region and assured that the WSF would work towards ensuring the organisation’s success in the country.
Personally, the appointment marks a new chapter for SKAS and the WSF where both organisations are looking forward to a fruitful partnership in the future.
Meanwhile, Sensei Simon is looking forward to meeting Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ellron Alfred Angin to brief him on SKAS and its functions.
The SKAS was registered as a karate association at the office of Sabah Sports Commissioner on March 2, 2013. This is the 10th year of the association’s establishment.
SKAS is an affiliate member of Shotokan Karate of Malaysia which is also an affiliate member of the Malaysian Karate Association (Makaf).
Simon said Shotokan Karate is one of the most popular and largest branches of karate in the world hence the SKAS establishment in Sabah.
Although SKAS is just approaching 10 years of its establishment in Sabah, it is led by some experienced former karate athletes who once made Sabah and Malaysia proud as a karate powerhouse not too long ago.
Chia said his main objective to meet Ellron is to promote SKAS, brief him on the organisation’s calendar, apply for grants to organise karate tournaments as well as funds for the athletes.
“Our vision is to produce more quality karatekas and help talented karatekas to maximise their potential and performance to a higher level by organising prestigious tournaments.
“Apart from that we also need funds to bring our athletes to compete in various tournaments in the country and also abroad.
“In addition, we also need annual grant for equipment, work and avenues to organise tournament,” he said.
SKAS has previously successfully organised several major tournaments that were not only participated by karate clubs and associations in Sabah and peninsula but also from neighbouring countries such as Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia.
“We believe that with financial assistance from the Sabah Ministry of Youth and Sports, we can successfully hold more karate tournaments that will not only provide opportunities to the karatekas but also help promote Sabah to the world level,” he said.
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