Valued at about US$14,286, the carpet is being offered in support of the development of Wushu (Chinese martial arts) in Liberia.
According to a communication from the association dated March 15, 2012, the carpet will be used in Liberia for Junior Wushu Competitions.
“The Wushu Carpet is ready to be transported. As a rule, we need a confirmation letter from the gift receiver before we arrange the transportation,” a communication addressed to the leadership of the Liberia National Wushu Association (LINWUA) said.
LINWUA is only being asked handle its clearance from customs, pay customs duty (or arrange exemption) and provide inland transportation for the carpet.
The Liberia National Wushu Association (LINWUA), on November 15, 2011, was awarded an official membership status by the International Wushu Federation (IWUF) at its 11th Congress on October 9, 2011, in the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
The national leaders of LINWUA are Charles Cummings, president; Joseph Willie, vice president for administration; and Junior Pewee Russian, vice president for training and national coach.
Other leaders are Fred Pratt, Secretary General; Malcolm Joseph, Assistant Secretary General; and Edwin Goodridge, Treasurer.
LINWUA Secretary General, Fred Pratt, confirmed via mobile phone yesterday that the communication from the PRC group had been received.
Mr. Pratt said his organization, which is the newest sporting group in the country, would request the Chief Patron of Sports in the country, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, for customs duty exemption through the Ministry of Youth & Sports.
He pointed out that the arrival of the “Carpet” in Liberia would enable Liberian athletes to kick-off training for their debut international fight at the 9th Zhengzhou China International Shaoline Wushu Festival.
The LINWUA chief scribe said the participation of Liberia at the Festival in Zhengzhou, China in September-2012, will create a platform for the country to seek technical support, exchange of Chinese martial arts skills and deeper understanding of Chinese language and culture.
Wushu is both an exhibition and a full-contact sport derived from traditional Chinese martial arts.
It was created in the People’s Republic of China after 1949, in an attempt to nationalize the practice of traditional Chinese martial arts.
In contemporary times, Wushu has become an international sport through the International Wushu Federation (IWUF), which holds the World Wushu Championships every two years.
The first World Championships were held in 1991 in Beijing and won by Yuan Wen Qing.
Wushu is composed of two disciplines: taolu (forms) and sanda (sparring).
Taolu involves martial art patterns and maneuvers for which competitors are judged and given points according to specific rules. The forms comprise basic movements (stances, kicks, punches, balances, jumps, sweeps and throws) based on aggregate categories traditional Chinese martial art style and can be changed for competitions to highlight one’s strengths.
Sanda, (sometimes called sanshou or Lei tai), is a modern fighting method and sport influenced by traditional Chinese boxing, Chinese wrestling methods called Shuai jiao and other Chinese grappling techniques such as Chin Na. It has all the combat aspects of wushu. Sanda appears much like Kickboxing or Muay Thai, but includes many more grappling techniques. Sanda fighting competitions are often held alongside taolu or form competitions.
