KUCHING: The Tung Fatt Lion Dance Association has been named among the teams representing Sarawak at the 21st Genting National Lion Dance Championship, with the East Malaysia Regional Competition set to take place on May 24 at the Tawau Community Hall in Sabah.
Kuching South Mayor, Datuk Wee Hong Seng, extended his congratulations to the association, praising its members for their dedication, discipline and commitment to keeping the art of lion dance alive as part of Sarawak’s cultural identity.
“Their participation reflects not only the spirit of teamwork and perseverance, but also the importance of preserving traditional cultural heritage for future generations,” he said in a statement today (May 22).
He added that lion dance goes beyond performance, describing it as a vital component of the broader creative and cultural industries – one that bridges performing arts, event entertainment, tourism, youth development, and heritage presentation.
Wee also acknowledged the obstacles the team had to overcome in their preparations, noting that the association currently lacks a dedicated training venue.
In response, the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) stepped in to offer the Dewan Masyarakat MBKS’ car park area as a temporary training ground ahead of the competition.
“This reflects MBKS’ commitment to supporting cultural and sports-related community activities, especially those involving youth development and heritage preservation,” he said.
He also highlighted Kuching’s standing as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, underscoring the city’s ongoing support for cultural initiatives that promote community unity and Sarawak’s rich multicultural identity.
Wee expressed confidence that the team would perform with pride and professionalism on the regional stage and urged them to carry the spirit of ‘Sarawak Boleh’ throughout the championship.
