Written by DAP NEWS
Tuesday, 01 September 2009
The Bokator 2009 Competition, a traditional Cambodian martial art, ended late afternoon with criticism from provincial martial arts masters.
“No students from provinces won the gold medals from the tournament because all judges are from the municipality [of Phnom Penh], but they are also masters of martial arts and their students are at the top level in every competition,” a group of martial arts masters who asked not to be named told gathered media.
“Even though our students perform well the judges do not provide high scores for students from the provinces,” one said.
“We were standing to see the competition only and the competition committee does not allow us to participate as judges of the competition. They choose their friends only and known people in their body.”
There is the right to complain to the Education Ministry but a complaints form costs US$13, against around US$26 in compensation. Those making allegations of unfair play chose not to complain to the ministry. However, many of the masters stressed that the competition body must allow all masters to act as judges.
“It is unfair for us and we are not happy with the final result for this competition,” said one master.
An official from the federation of Khmer Traditional Bokator Martial Arts said that if masters from the provinces disagreed with the organizing committee of the competition, they should convey their advice to the Education Ministry. “I do not want to hear controversial ideas,” he said.
Not everyone was unhappy.
“This year, my students got third place and we got a bronze medal and small amount of money as award for the 65 kg category,” Meas Sambor, a master from Yin Teng Martial Arts from Kompong Speu province. “My students improved a lot if compared with last year.”
“My club is so happy because my student named Say Tevin won a gold medal and cash award of nearly US$90,” said Hok Birum, judge and master from Mahanokor Club of Siem Reap province.
Sem Sovandet, a sponsor and chairman of the Southeast Asia Radio and TV, said that “we have to promote more about our tradition martial arts like Bokator. The next generation has to know these martial arts.”
Tuesday, 01 September 2009
The Bokator 2009 Competition, a traditional Cambodian martial art, ended late afternoon with criticism from provincial martial arts masters.
“No students from provinces won the gold medals from the tournament because all judges are from the municipality [of Phnom Penh], but they are also masters of martial arts and their students are at the top level in every competition,” a group of martial arts masters who asked not to be named told gathered media.
“Even though our students perform well the judges do not provide high scores for students from the provinces,” one said.
“We were standing to see the competition only and the competition committee does not allow us to participate as judges of the competition. They choose their friends only and known people in their body.”
There is the right to complain to the Education Ministry but a complaints form costs US$13, against around US$26 in compensation. Those making allegations of unfair play chose not to complain to the ministry. However, many of the masters stressed that the competition body must allow all masters to act as judges.
“It is unfair for us and we are not happy with the final result for this competition,” said one master.
An official from the federation of Khmer Traditional Bokator Martial Arts said that if masters from the provinces disagreed with the organizing committee of the competition, they should convey their advice to the Education Ministry. “I do not want to hear controversial ideas,” he said.
Not everyone was unhappy.
“This year, my students got third place and we got a bronze medal and small amount of money as award for the 65 kg category,” Meas Sambor, a master from Yin Teng Martial Arts from Kompong Speu province. “My students improved a lot if compared with last year.”
“My club is so happy because my student named Say Tevin won a gold medal and cash award of nearly US$90,” said Hok Birum, judge and master from Mahanokor Club of Siem Reap province.
Sem Sovandet, a sponsor and chairman of the Southeast Asia Radio and TV, said that “we have to promote more about our tradition martial arts like Bokator. The next generation has to know these martial arts.”
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