PESAKA WANTS PENCAK SILAT TO BE PART OF SCHOOL CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN LABUAN

LABUAN, Jan 16 (Bernama) -- The Persatuan Silat Kebangsaan Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan (Pesaka Labuan) will be working closely with the Labuan Education Department to set up Penchak Silat court as part of the school’s co-curricular activity in all secondary schools in this island.

Its newly-elected president, Khairul Ghani, said this is one of the efforts to nurture the interest of schoolchildren to be actively involved in the indigenous martial arts (self-defence sports) and in preparation for the Sukma Games 2024-2026.

“We must start scouting talented students to be our future silat athletes. If we don’t do it, this mainstream sport will be the first to go extinct here on this island.

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“This is one of our priorities in Pesaka Labuan’s agenda to ensure Labuan continues producing silat athletes for Federal Territory and Malaysia in the Asian Games, Malaysia Games (Sukma), and perhaps in the SEA Games,” he told Bernama today following the unveiling of Pesaka Labuan’s new line-up last night.

Khairul said Pesaka Labuan would also be focusing on adding panellists to represent Labuan in the various national sports meets.

He said Pesaka Labuan has produced a number of professional silat athletes representing Labuan, Federal Territory, as well as the national team in the Sukma, Asian Games, ASEAN University Games and Penchak Silat World Championship.

Labuan silat athlete (formerly Sukma silat coach) and currently serves as Labuan silat coach Amir Abd Rahman was the first runner-up in the Asian Games 2002.

“Our local silat athlete is now a national silat coach Hamidah Mulok, and we are certain, we can continue the momentum of Labuan silat achievements,” Khairul said.

The Pesaka Labuan’s new line-up for the 2023-2024 term was unveiled at its annual general meeting (AGM) last night with Khairul as the president while Azis Japar and Anuar Berzuri were both elected as the association’s vice-presidents.

Other office bearers are Muhammad Nurakmal Mustamin (treasurer), Airol Azmi Abd Gani (secretary) and Muhd Azrul Abdul (assistant secretary).

Ten committee members were also elected namely Shairazi Akmal Anuar, Tazeri Safar, Aefindy Tuah, Muhammad Izzuddin Badrul Hisham, Afifah Najiah Nordin, Amir Abd Rahman, Azry Amat, Siswanto Sunario, Muhamad Asyraf Sulaiman and Malik@Abdull Halib Jitra.

-- BERNAMA