Imphal, May 29: Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh on May 29 said martial arts icon Bruce Lee inspired him to take up Taekwondo after he watched the legendary film Enter the Dragon during his youth.
Speaking at a Manipuri film event, Singh said cinema has the ability to influence and motivate people in significant ways. Recalling his younger days, he said watching Enter the Dragon around 1978-79 left a lasting impression on him and eventually motivated him to travel to Lucknow to learn Taekwondo.
“I want to place that cinemas can motivate humans. A simple story is that in 1978/79, when Bruce Lee’s Enter the Dragon movie came out, it motivated me. I even went to Lucknow and learnt Taekwondo,” he said.
The 63-year-old Chief Minister has reportedly been practising martial arts since the age of 16 and has remained associated with Taekwondo throughout his political career.
A black belt holder, Singh earlier served as vice-president of the Taekwondo Federation of India and has been involved in promoting the sport across the Northeast region.
He also founded the All Assam Taekwondo Association in 1982. During the event, Singh assured continued support from the Manipur government for the growth and development of Manipuri cinema.
