Coaching for passion – A chat with volunteer Kendo coach Peter Ong

Contributed by Hazwani Hasni

For the past 14 years, branding and design professional Peter Ong has been instilling the discipline and etiquette of Kendo into youths at various Kendo clubs across Singapore. Today, he plays mentor to over 50 youths from the NUS Kendo Club.

Currently serving as the president of the Singapore Kendo Club, Peter's life-long affair with Kendo began about 28 years ago, when he became enamoured with the timeless martial art form that combines the strong martial arts values with the physical element of sports. Witnessing how kendo masters spur their young followers motivated him to pass on his knowledge of the sport through coaching.

One of the high points of his volunteer coaching experience was leading the team from the Nanyang Polytechnic's Kendo Club to the Singapore/Malaysia Friendship Tournament, where the team clinched the men's team event at the tournament. Several of his students from the club went on to make a mark at major local and regional tournaments, including acquiring the "Best Fighting Spirit Award' at the 12th World Kendo Championships at Glasgow, Scotland, in 2003.

22-year-old Teng Shumin, President of the National University of Singapore's (NUS) Kendo Club, lauded Peter Sensei for his dedication and teachings in the principles of Kendo, which she applies to her everyday life in her three years of practice. She also sees herself wanting to return to assist in the Club as a form of giving back to the sport upon her graduation in July 2010.

Under the same tutelage of Peter for over two years, Training Captain Tan Zehao is equally full of praise for him.

"He is always ready to share and impart his knowledge and skills. Holding true to the traditional techniques and teachings of Kendo, he focuses on long-term betterment of all his students."

In celebration of Coaches Day 2009, the NUS Kendo Club will be showing their appreciation for Peter's dedication as their coach by presenting him with a personalised hand-crafted card.

Celebrated on the second Friday of September each year, Coaches Day will fall on 11 September this year.

About Coaches Day 2009
Coaches Day is an initiative of the Singapore Sports Council (SSC) to raise the level of recognition accorded to coaches nationwide for the significant role they play in the holistic development of their athletes. Inaugurated in 2007, Coaches’ Day will be held on the second Friday of September each year. Please visit the Singapore Sports Council's website for more information.