IN a joyous and spirited gathering, the Noro Kung Fu Club celebrated a remarkable 40th anniversary since its inception in 1983 last week.
The Western Province-based club was graced with the presence of Kung Fu Sifu Sam Alasia who travelled from Honiara to be part of the celebration.
This momentous occasion was also witnessed by a number of devoted martial artists.
The celebration was further boosted by the presence of other enthusiastic students from Honiara who travelled to Noro to be part of this memorable event on Saturday at the Noro Community School Hall.
The theme for the celebration was “Commemorating our journey, strife for self discipline and respect for one another.”
The club, known for its dedication to the art of Jyoshin Mon Tai Kiok Kuen Kung Fu Society has been a prominent institution in the martial arts community since its establishment four decades ago.
Over the years, it has nurtured and honed countless individuals, imparting invaluable skills, discipline and a deep appreciation for Kung Fu.
Speaking during the launching of the 40 years anniversary, Sifu Alasia said, “it’s a joy to witness the launching of the 40th anniversary commemoration of the Kung Fu society here in the Solomons.”
Sifu Alasia said the last time he was in Noro to visit the school was in November in 1999.
“So, it’s good to be back. In 1991, we established our Kung Fu school here in Noro and this was few years after we set up our Kung Fu School at Gizo under the leadership of former Police Sergeant and now High Court Judge Leonard Maina in 1998.
“From Gizo, we established a school at Munda, Beulah Secondary School and at Taro in Choiseul when Choiseul was still part of the Western Province,” he said.
He said anniversaries are occasions for celebration and evaluation.
“We have gone through difficult times and challenging times but also smooth and enjoyable periods.
“Sadly, all our Kung Fu schools collapsed during the ethnic tension which nearly destroyed our country to its core.
“At this juncture, may I publicly state here that our Kung Fu society did play some role in bringing about an end to the tension, leading to the ceasefire and the TPA in 2000,” Sifu Sam added.
Reflecting on the 40 years anniversary theme, he said, “we have strived to better ourselves in areas of self discipline and respect for one another. In Kung Fu, we teach our students the values of respect, self discipline, punctuality, commitment, endurance and other important values.”
He then acknowledged the numerous supporters within the Kung Fu society such as SolTuna, NFD and Tri-Marine for their support.
Since 1983, the Kung Fu Society led by Sifu Sam established 21 Kung Fu schools throughout the country in Malaita, Makira, Western, Choiseul, Central and Guadalcanal provinces.
The highlight of the anniversary celebration was a series of captivating demonstrations, where both Noro and Honiara members showcased their martial prowess.
The audience was treated to a mesmerizing display of Kung Fu techniques, forms and routines that have been passed down through generations.
Following the demonstrations, the ceremony continued with the presentation of sashes and certifications to deserving Noro members by the Sifu Alasia.
These accolades served as recognition of the hard work, dedication, and commitment displayed by the recipients over the years.
Each sash and certification represented not only a milestone in their martial arts journey but also a symbol of their unwavering devotion to the Kung Fu Noro Club, he said.
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Gizo
