Photo : The students show their fighting stance to the camera
MERAUKE – Kids in Ulilin District, Merauke Regency now spend their Wednesday evenings with a brand new routine: attending taekwondo training at PT Dongin Prabhawa (DP)’s base. These classes are initiated by the company, a subsidiary of Tunas Sawa Erma Group.
They are taught directly by Yunjae Cha, DP executive and taekwondo expert. Back in Korea, Cha is known for his experience in the field and holds a teaching license. On a visit to one of his classes, we could see excited looks in the audience, whose ages range from 7 to 12.
Here in Indonesia, taekwondo has its own share of fame. It is one of the martial arts types that have gained popularity in various communities. Not only because it trains the muscles and increases stamina, this practice gives learners strong confidence and teaches discipline.
Seeing the many benefits it offers, DP decided to provide young Papuans and especially members of the company neighborhood a chance to study this sport, which focuses on high kicks and fast hand techniques.
The weekly drills are also a way to tap into the kids’ athletic potential and guide them into doing more positive activities. With diligence and perseverance, the students may be able to compete at regional, national, even international levels.
The children we met were “really glad” to have this class. In local taekwondo communities, training comes with a fee, but here at DP, the Ulilins can learn for free with qualified instructors. “I’m happy that I can go to taekwondo class. My friends and I will keep training every day, so we can go to competitions,” said Yeremias Walinaulik, a student.
Sessions will continuerunning on a regular basis. Holding taekwondo training is DP’s commitment to practicing sustainable palm oil governance and putting out innovations to prioritize its health, educational, economic, environmental, and infrastructure responsibilities. (PR)
