Only as demonstration

THE National Silat Association (Pesaka) have won their fight to get the sport included into this year's Asian Games albeit only as a demonstration event. This, however, is a step in the right direction and Pesaka are confident that silat will become a medal sport in time for the 2006 Asiad. Pesaka secretary Megat Zulkarnain said the association are delighted the sport has been recognised. "The matter was brought up at the International Silat Association (Persilat) last week," said Megat, who was in Jakarta for the meeting. "More than 20 countries supported the decision to get the sport into the Asian Games but we have yet to work out the mechanics. "It has long been Malaysia's goal to get the sport into the Asian Games and are next target will be to eventually get it into the Olympics." Megat said that the national association have yet to select any exponent for the tournament. He explained that the exponents are currently in training for a tournament in Europe next month and that Pesaka will sit down and discuss with the national coaches, who should go to Busan for the Asian Games. "Let us concentrate on the tournament in Belgium first.

We will only name the squad to Belgium next week," said Megat. "The Asian Games is about six months away.

There is still plenty of time to pick the exponents."

Written by GRAIG NUNIS
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