Master Christopher Lai Khee Choon (Sifu Lai), 2nd chamber 50th generation of Shaolin has studied martial arts since 1959 and in particular Shaolin Kung Fu from 1967 – 1979 and is the chief instructor of the NPC system. In those years, training was intense in the traditional manner and was undertaken on a daily basis, often twice a day. Sifu Lai was trained by Grandmaster Quek and also trained with Master Leow Cheng Koon, who was the chief instructor of the Taekwondo Federation. Master Leow Cheng Koon’s brand of martial arts transcended Taekwondo and had incorporated other arts he had learnt, some of which include Chinese Kung Fu, Hap-Kido and Hwarang-Do. Master Lai found there was much to be gained by using modern Taekwondo training and teaching techniques in teaching and unlocking the traditions of Chinese martial arts. He helped in the formation of the Malaysian Taekwondo Association (WTF) in 1974 and was its first Secretary-General from 1974 until his departure in 1979. In 1977, Sifu Lai decided to emigrate to the United Kingdom, where he had undertaken his legal education. Since martial arts was part of his life, he felt the need to bring his school with him. Prior to his departure, he asked Grandmaster Quek to clarify the name of the style he had been taught. Grandmaster Quek gave his permission and stated that the style of kung fu he taught was “Shaolin Nam-Pai-Chuan”. The first ever martial arts of this form to be taught in Europe was taught in Swiss Cottage, London. The system became a member of the British Council for Chinese Martial Arts (BCCMA), the national governing body for Chinese Martial Arts in the UK. The system has grown and progressed smoothly with classes in many cities in the UK and abroad. Today, the system has finally become of age and is being taught in the sincere and dedicated manner as seen by Sifu Lai and his predecessors. |