Group photograph commemorating the inaugural staff committee of Singapore Yuen Kiew Physical Association

This group photograph marks the officiation of duties of the inaugural Singapore Yuen Kiew Physical Association (新加坡榕侨体育会) staff committee at Nanyang Hotel (南洋大酒店)’s Rose Dance Hall on Mayo Street. Amongst those pictured are one of the founding members Sia Mok Tai (谢沐泰, front row, centre in suit) and pioneering instructor Guo Cheng Zhang (郭承章, front row, 4th L).Affiliated to the Foochow Association, Yuen Kiew Physical Association was established by founding members including Sia, Hong Shui Di (洪水弟) and Yang Ben Li (杨本梨) in the spirit of promoting traditional martial arts such as wushu, Taiji, lion dance and dragon dance amongst Foochow practitioners. One of the earliest in Singapore to establish a dragon dance troupe in 1959, it attained further prominence and visibility in post-independence Singapore, partaking in numerous local and regional pugilistic meets and tournaments, as well as performing in several of the nation’s National Day Parades.In 2002, Yuen Kiew Physical Association merged with Yuen Qing Physical Association (榕青体育会), which had been established in 1964, to form the Rong Lian Physical Association (榕联体育会), headquartered at the Foochow Building on Tyrwhitt Road.

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Group photograph commemorating the first founding anniversary of Singapore Yuen Kiew Physical Association

Group photograph of Singapore Yuen Kiew Physical Association staff and members who took part in the national pugilistic competition

Group photograph commemorating the establishment of the Singapore National Pugilistic Federation, and the inauguration of the first batch of committee members

Portrait of Singapore Yuen Kew Physical Association instructor Guo Cheng Zhang