By Vincent D’Silva

JOHOR BAHRU: Beneath the rhythmic thunder of drums and the graceful rise of the dragon beneath dazzling lights, an atmosphere of pride, gratitude and cultural unity filled the grand hall as the Roufo Xinshan Fifteenth Floor Malaysian Dragon Dance Sports Association marked its 35th anniversary in a celebration rich with heritage, perseverance and enduring community spirit.

The glittering anniversary gathering brought together distinguished guests, honorary presidents, advisors, community leaders, coaches, dragon dance practitioners and long-time supporters who have stood beside the association throughout its remarkable journey spanning more than three decades.

In a heartfelt address during the celebration, chairman Chong Ah Ng, shairman of the Association described the anniversary not merely as a celebration of years, but as a tribute to generations of sacrifice, unity and unwavering dedication that helped transform a humble troupe into a respected and influential dragon dance organisation today.

“Thirty-five years is not merely a number. It is a journey paved with sweat, perseverance and unwavering belief,” he said.

He reflected on the association’s difficult beginnings, recalling how the troupe struggled during its early years to survive amid limited resources and numerous challenges.

“Our dragon dance troupe began under very difficult circumstances. Through the united efforts, dedication and hard work of all our members, we have grown into an organised, influential and established team today,” he said.

Chong noted that every soaring dragon performance seen by audiences today carries with it the unseen sacrifices of countless pioneers, committee members, trainers and performers who devoted themselves quietly behind the scenes over the decades.

“Every leap of the dragon and every beat of the drum is the result of the silent sacrifices and dedication of countless pioneers and fellow members behind the scenes,” he added.

A deeply emotional moment during the evening came when Chong paid tribute to the association’s founder, Ng Chuan Seng, whom he credited for planting the seed that eventually blossomed into one of the country’s respected dragon dance associations.

“It was his original aspiration and vision that planted the seed which has now flourished into the thriving dragon dance troupe we see today,” he said.

Over the years, the association has grown from a small gathering of passionate cultural enthusiasts into a well-structured sports organisation dedicated not only to preserving traditional Chinese cultural heritage, but also to elevating dragon dance as a recognised sporting discipline.

Chong said the spirit of continuity and the passing down of traditions from one generation to another remained the association’s greatest strength.

“Generation after generation has carried forward this legacy. From a small group of individuals, we have grown into a sizeable and structured sports association. This spirit of heritage and continuity is truly our most precious asset,” he said.

He also expressed gratitude to advisory council members, state association leaders, businesses and community figures whose unwavering support enabled the association to continue growing confidently over the years.

“Your support is not merely financial assistance. It is a form of trust and affirmation that allows us to continue expanding with confidence,” he said.

Throughout the evening, the symbolism of the dragon itself emerged as a recurring theme — representing courage, aspiration, resilience and transformation.

“The dragon is not merely a performance — it represents a spirit,” Chong said.

“The soaring dragon symbolises transcendence, the leaping dragon symbolises breakthroughs, while the dragon travelling across the seas reflects our vision and aspirations.”

As cultural performances illuminated the stage with bursts of colour, energy and synchronised movement, the celebration also highlighted the association’s ambition to bring dragon dance onto a larger international platform.

Chong said the association would continue strengthening its training systems, nurturing younger successors and integrating culture with sports development to ensure dragon dance remains relevant for future generations.

“In this era, we are not only preserving traditional culture, but also striving to bring dragon dance to greater professionalism and international recognition,” he said.

“We hope dragon dance will become not merely a performance, but also a recognised brand and source of influence.”

Looking ahead, Chong described the 35th anniversary as a milestone rather than a destination, expressing hope that future generations would continue carrying forward the cultural torch towards an even greater future.

“Thirty-five years is a milestone, but certainly not the destination. Let us move forward hand in hand and strive together towards our centennial vision,” he said.

The anniversary celebration ended on a jubilant and emotional note as guests raised their glasses in honour of the association’s past achievements and future aspirations — a powerful reflection of how the spirit of the dragon continues to unite communities, preserve traditions and inspire generations far beyond the performance stage.

Guest of honour Mejar Cina Dato’ David Wong Khong Soon, who is also chairman of Yayasan Sultanah Fatimah, paid tribute to the association’s long-serving chairman Chong Ah Ng, describing his three decades of leadership as the backbone of the organisation’s success and growth.

Dato’ Wong said Chong’s unwavering dedication had ensured that the dragon dance tradition continued to flourish in Johor Bahru while inspiring younger generations to embrace their cultural heritage.

“In today’s world, where social challenges continue to rise, it is more important than ever to provide our youth and teenagers with a meaningful platform,” he said during the anniversary dinner.

He noted that dragon dance was far more than a cultural performance, saying it helped young people develop discipline, teamwork, resilience and lifelong values that would guide them into the future.

Dato’ Wong also stressed the importance of preserving Chinese traditional heritage through dragon dance, adding that the younger generation was not merely learning an art form but carrying forward values of perseverance, respect and community spirit.

He called on the public to continue supporting the Johor Bahru Na Tok Kong Dragon Dance Association so that tradition and discipline would continue to shape the youth and strengthen community unity.