Expert: Wushu can't be developed without China support

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-02-08 14:17

DHAKA: Wushu started in Bangladesh in late 1970s. With the support of China, the game is becoming more and more popular in the country with more than 5,000 players, 25 judges and 40 coaches.

Bangladesh Wushu Association President F.R. Siddiqui in an exclusive interview told Xinhua recently that China has offered Bangladesh technical and equipment assistance regarding to Wushu.

"It is very important for us to develop the game," he said.

Wushu became a part of South Asian Games for the first time in 2006 in its 10th games held in Sri Lanka. On February 3, 2010, the 11th South Asian Games Wushu Competition opened in Bangladesh's Sylhet city, 242 kms northeast of capital Dhaka. 6 South Asian countries, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Afghanistan, attend the competition which ends on Monday.

As the organizer of South Asian Games Wushu Competition, Siddiqui said Wushu is developing well in South Asian countries, especially in Bangladesh who received more help from China.

"We invited two Chinese coaches to train our players for the competition. It is very helpful," he said.

Siddiqui, who is also the president of South Asian Wushu Association, said he got to know Wushu and loved it during his study in China from 1978-1984.

"In 1979, I studied in Beijing Language University. Every morning I saw many people play Taijiquan. I was very much interested in it and started to practice the game. Later I went to see a Wushu competition held in the university. From then on I made up my mind to promote Wushu in Bangladesh," he said.

Siddiqui came back to Bangladesh in 1984 after 6 years study in China and joined Bangladesh Wushu Association as an adviser. He was elected as president of the association in 2003.

As the president of Bangladesh Wushu Association, Siddiqui sent teams to Malaysia and Vietnam to attend local Wushu competitions. He also organized many competitions in Bangladesh, like "China Cup" Wushu Competition, Bangladesh Wushu Championship and South Asia Wushu Championship.

Siddiqui is very grateful to the support from China. "All the Wushu equipment are from China, either purchased or given free of cost."

Siddique has spent a lot of time on Wushu. "I have faced many difficulties, but I have never thought of giving up developing Wushu in Bangladesh," he said.

Siddiqui said: "I lived in China for 6 years. I love China, love Chinese Wushu. I promote Wushu in Bangladesh Because I want to distribute Chinese culture as Wushu is part of it and strengthen the friendship between the two countries and the two peoples."

With the untiring effort, Wushu was officially recognized by the Bangladeshi government in 2007.

AMA Muhith, Bangladeshi finance minister and also the president of the 11th South Asian Games organizing committee, said at the 11th South Asian Games Wushu Competition opening ceremony that the government is dedicated to developing Wushu in Bangladesh, and makes more people love the game.

Siddiqui said the future of Wushu in Bangladesh is bright because more and more people in the country start to love the game.

"I will work hard and make more effort to promote and popularize Wushu in Bangladesh," he added.