Minister impressed with `Taerobis'

07/09/2002

SPORTS Minister Datuk Hishammuddin Hussein officially declared the Sixth
Asean Taekwondo Federation Championship open at the Kuala Lumpur Badminton
Assoiation Hall yesterday and left very impressed with `Taerobis'.
During the opening ceremony, the Korean Taerobis team mesmerised the
crowd and Hishammuddin feels that it is a healthy way to keep youth away
from mischief.
"Taerobics is a new fun way to keep fit and healthy. So I feel that the
Malaysian Taekwondo Assoiation should look into it seriously to keep our
youth away from unhealthy activities," said Hishammuddin.
Taerobis is a combination of aerobics and taekwondo which moves to the
beat and rhythm of modern music.
But the sad part was that the Taerobics team, numbering 52 and flown in
specially for a demonstration at the championship, had a bigger contingent
than the countries competing in the Asean Championship.
In fact Myanmar, Cambodia, Brunei and Laos did not send any
representative to the championship and the handful that lined up at the
KLBA Hall were from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam and
the Philippines.
Hishammuddin also said that taekwondo has been included in the list of
potential medal sport on the world ciruit, so special emphasis will be
given to its development.
"Taekwondo is a very healthy sport and if karate can win honours at top-
notched championships, I feel that there is no reason why taekwondo cannot
produce world class athletes.
"That is why we have listed it among the priority sports in the ountry
and earmarked it for aggressive development," said Hishammudin.
On another development, Hishammuddin said that he will be meeting
Minardi boss Paul Stoddart next week to get a clearer picture of the role
Alex Yoong will be playing in Formula One team.
"I would like to find out what Minardi has planned for Alex for the 2003
season."
On Monday, Stoddart was quoted as saying that Alex will drive again for
Minardi in the Italian Grand Prix on Sept 15 at Monza after sitting out
the last two races.
It is likely to be Alex's last stint as a driver with Minardi as the
team is keen to utilise him in other areas in the next season.
(END)