Office Bearers and members of IYWA with Suhel Ahmed, treasurer of Wushu Association of India. Sitting from left: Anwar Ul Haq, Aijaz Ahmed Khan, Suhel Ahmed, Surenderpal Singh. Standing from left: Syed Baqer Ali, Farooq Ahmed, Mir Gazanfar Ali Zaki and Esa Bin Shabibi. — Courtesy photo

 

Saudi Gazette report

 

JEDDAH  — Wushu is becoming a popular game because of its dual benefit — as a fitness program as well as self-defense martial arts, said Suhel Ahmed, Treasurer Wushu Association of India and President of Uttar Pradesh Wushu Association, at the felicitation function organized by Indian Youth Welfare Association (IYWA) recently.



Ahmed, who performed Haj this year, believes the regular practice of Wushu produces beneficial effects not only on the muscles and various parts of our body but also on the nervous, respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

 

“That’s why Wushu is widely recommended as a effective means of keeping fit. The practical attacking and defending techniques of Wushu can be employed effectively for self-defense,” added Ahmed.



Ahmed said that Wushu is a time-honored sport. “The roots can be traced back to as early as the time of the clan commune in primitive societies of China. At that time there appeared the "XI" (Sports) of Jiaodi (Wrestling) and the "WU" (dance or exercise) of Ganqui (ax and Shield). These are the earliest embryos of Wushu. It came under the influence of Buddhism and Taoism, which elevated Wushu from the position of a warrior art into a deeply meditative art form. The rest of the world recognized Wushu for the first time when the Chinese team gave demonstration in the Berlin Olympics in 1936. Since then, it has spread like wild fire across the world."



He said Wushu could be classified into two major categories Sanshou and Taolou.



Sanshou free combat is a combination of kick, punches, hold, push and throwing techniques under certain conditions and fixed rules.



Taolou free exercises are Wushu routines, practiced either bare handed or with weapons, involving various combinations of attack and defense, advance and retreat, dynamic and static state, quickness and slowness, toughness and softness, solidity and emptiness among others.



“The bare handed exercises involved different type of forms including Tai-Chi which has proved its efficiency in treating chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, pulmonary tuberculosis, heart disease, headache, backache and also helps in reducing fat.



The weapons exercises involved broad sword, spear, cudgel etc.,” he said. Ahmed said regular practice of Wushu can produce beneficial effects and is widely recommended as an effective means of keeping fit.



The categories in which participants are divided are according to weight. The divisions are senior, junior and sub-junior.



Ahmed said that the fact that Wushu can be employed effectively for self-defense has led the Indian government to impart Wushu training to around 30,000 girls. "By the end of 2013 Delhi will introduce it in all CBSE schools in India," he added.



He said the Wushu Association of India was formed in1989 and is affiliated to Indian Olympic Association.



With 39 units all over India and approval from the government of India, the Olympic Committee, military and paramilitary forces, Wushu participants have better placement chances for its players in various organs of the Indian government.



He said, W. Sandy Arani, a Wushu silver medalist in 16th Asian Games, received the Arjuna Award last year and is the first Arjuna Awardee in the field of martial arts in India.



IYWA General Secretary Mir Gazanfar Ali Zaki made a representation to Ahmed for the introduction of Wushu to Indian international CBSE schools all over the world.



National players as well as NIS trained coaches can organize a yearly camp for one month to give tips and encourage overseas Indian students and adults interested in taking up the game of Wushu.



IYWA Vice-President of Sports Aijaz Ahmed Khan said that from next year onward IYWA will initiate mementos to the medal winners of Wushu to encourage the young players.



Ahmed was also felicitated by Saudi businessmen Khalid Al Fozan, Emad Al Muhadeeb and Hussam Al Kahtani at Diwaniya in another event.