Reading yesterday's newspaper, my belief that this society is getting sicker by the day is reinforced when I saw this picture: -
What right thinking adult would condone such an act, let alone called a sport, amongst children as young as 8 years old? According to the newsreport, these kids (they are still kids and have yet to reach the age of puberty!!) have been exposed to this sport when they were not much older than toddlers. These kids are deeply encouraged by their grandmother and mother respectively. Come on! Are there no other sport to get them involved with?
This is kickboxing or popularly known as Muay Thai where the shins are, amongst other parts of the leg, used to kick the opponent. I am no doctor and I have taken no time to do any research on the subject of orthopaedics but wouldn't this type of contact sport affect the overall bone growth of the child? Okay, perhaps some might argue that other contact sports like Taekwondo also pose as much threat but I believe those contact sports require the use of protective gear (shin pads). Muay Thai is almost all-exposed (save for the oversized punching gloves).
I am most appalled that the authorities have allowed this sport to be participated by children as young as 8 years old and what more, in a competitive environment where loud cheers go towards the combatants. What happens if one of the children suffers broken bones or serious injuries as a result of the sport? Who will be held responsible? These children are not old enough to appreciate the danger of the sport. Heck! Even kids up to 12 years old are not recognised to have sufficient maturity to cross the roads, what more to say participating in combat sports with adults cheering you on. This is no game.
And hey! There are simply better ways to nurture discipline that can help build personality and confidence contrary to what Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin said today.
What right thinking adult would condone such an act, let alone called a sport, amongst children as young as 8 years old? According to the newsreport, these kids (they are still kids and have yet to reach the age of puberty!!) have been exposed to this sport when they were not much older than toddlers. These kids are deeply encouraged by their grandmother and mother respectively. Come on! Are there no other sport to get them involved with?
This is kickboxing or popularly known as Muay Thai where the shins are, amongst other parts of the leg, used to kick the opponent. I am no doctor and I have taken no time to do any research on the subject of orthopaedics but wouldn't this type of contact sport affect the overall bone growth of the child? Okay, perhaps some might argue that other contact sports like Taekwondo also pose as much threat but I believe those contact sports require the use of protective gear (shin pads). Muay Thai is almost all-exposed (save for the oversized punching gloves).
I am most appalled that the authorities have allowed this sport to be participated by children as young as 8 years old and what more, in a competitive environment where loud cheers go towards the combatants. What happens if one of the children suffers broken bones or serious injuries as a result of the sport? Who will be held responsible? These children are not old enough to appreciate the danger of the sport. Heck! Even kids up to 12 years old are not recognised to have sufficient maturity to cross the roads, what more to say participating in combat sports with adults cheering you on. This is no game.
And hey! There are simply better ways to nurture discipline that can help build personality and confidence contrary to what Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin said today.
