Organisation of World Silat Championship in Melaka best so far - Prabowo

MELAKA, Aug 2 (Bernama) -- The 19th World Pencak Silat Championship which ended on Sunday is described as the best held in history so far, according to International Pencak Silat Federation (Persilat) president  Datuk Seri Prabowo Subianto.

Prabowo, in a statement today said the Malaysian National Silat Federation (Pesaka) has set a benchmark for the upcoming World Championship which is seen as a challenge to all the hosts in the next edition.

"The championship this time is very organised, disciplined and lively. It is also spectacular and the opening ceremony is excellent, Alhamdulillah the execution is very good. Congratulations to Pesaka especially its president Datuk Megat Zulkarnain Omardin.

"Pesaka has set a very high benchmark in this championship for future organisers. If nothing goes wrong, the next championship in Indonesia will most likely be in Jakarta. It means we have to be better than here," he said.

The World Championship this time which took place at Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC), Ayer Keroh saw that the historic state had been chosen as the new host after Malaysia entered the transition to endemic phase.

This followed the 19th World Pencak Silat Championship which was originally scheduled to be held in Sarawak in 2019, was postponed for about two years when almost the whole world implemented movement restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The participation of 40 countries in the tournament also saw the largest number of participating countries in the history of world pencak silat, congratulations and thanks for providing a very good competition in addition to the huge support from the Malaysian government, and also the Melaka state government," he said.

In the meantime, in conjunction with the World Championship this time, Persilat held a congress which saw Prabowo who is also the Defence Minister of Indonesia being re-elected as president.

"I actually asked to be replaced and asked Malaysia to replace me but they asked me to continue to be president again... I finally accepted the request, it is an honour and also a trust to ensure that this martial art continues to be preserved.

"Pencak silat is the heritage of our ancestors, This is the culture of the archipelago, the Malay culture. We as a Malay group must protect this culture," he said.

In the meantime, he said Persilat, which currently has 85 member countries, is aiming for the sport to be contested at the 2028 Olympics.

"Therefore the members of the Persilat federation, especially the four countries that are the founding members, must work hard to achieve that goal because there are many conditions that must be met and most importantly the 85 federations must be registered and accepted by the Olympic council of their respective countries.

"The condition to participate in the Olympics must be 75 countries registered with the IOC (International Olympic Council). That is not an easy job," he said.

Meanwhile, Prabowo was awarded the Darjah Gemilang Seri Melaka (DGMS) medal which carries the title of Datuk Seri by the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Melaka Tun Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam here recently, in appreciation of his contribution to the development and development of silat around the world.

-- BERNAMA