20 September 2002

We need money, say Pesaka

THE National Silat Association (Pesaka) are still in the dark over the financing of their exponents for the Games. Silat will be a demonstration sport in South Korea and will likely make their debut as a medal sport in four years time.

Pesaka secretary Megat Zulkarnain Datuk Omar Din said they have written to the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) asking them for funds but to date, have yet to receive a reply. "We have been depending solely on the goodwill of the National Sports Council (NSC) for all our needs," said Zulkarnain.

"They are funding our development project for the 2006 Asiad and all our current needs for the coming Games.

"NSC in fact will also help us to host the World Championships in December. "But since we will be competing in this year's Asian Games - although as a demonstration sport - I think it is only right for OCM to give us an answer as quickly as possible." Zulkarnain admitted he is not very sure what the procedure for funding is when it comes to exhibition sports, but said that both the Singapore and Indonesian exponents are fully funded by their respective Olympic Councils.

"The Indonesian exponents, in fact, will get the same privileges as the athletes who will contest for medals," said Zulkarnain. "All we are asking is for the OCM to let us know if they will pay for our exponents.

If not, we will have to search for sponsors." He added that Pesaka are confident of delivering at least three gold medals in four years time. This, he said, is why it is important to send the exponents to Busan. "How many sports can confidently predict three gold medals?" he asked. "Not many I can tell you.

Three gold medals will surely boost Malaysia's overall standings and we at Pesaka are willing to predict it. "We are only sending eight exponents to Busan to compete in seven events (five in the olahraga and three in three in the seni division).

But in four years time, there will be 20 gold medals at stake. "Of the 20, we feel our exponents can bring home at least three gold medals, and that is not counting the other medals which we could win as well." But for now, Zulkarnain said the exponents will continue to train as usual until the final list of exponents is decided on Sept 30.

Written by GRAIG NUNIS
Sourced from http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-26519047_ITM

19 September 2002

600 EXPONENTS IN WORLD SILAT MEET

KEPALA BATAS, Sept 19 (Bernama) -- Some 600 exponents from over 30 countries are expected to take part in the 12th World Pencak Silat Championship on Dec 14-21 here.

Event organising committee chairman Datuk Azhar Ibrahim said 22 gold medals were at stake in the championship to be held in the Penang International Sports Arena (Pisa).

The tournament is also hoped to promote Penang in the world tourism map, Azhar, who is the excoman for Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development told Bernama here today.

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02 September 2002

Exponents barred from contact class

THE National Silat Association (Pesaka) have barred all national exponents from silat olahraga (contact) class for the Malaysia Games (Sukma) in the hope of finding new talent. However, those in the silat seni (artistic) category, will be allowed to compete.

Pesaka secretary Megat Zulkarnain Datuk Omar Din (right) said that the association realised that there are not many new talent coming through and as such, took the decision last week. Pesaka have an eye on the 2006 Asian Games where they hope silat will make its debut as a medal sport and as such, have identified this year's Sukma as the place to find the champions of tomorrow. Silat will be a demonstration sport in the Busan Games later in the year.

"Although only a handful of our exponents are eligible to compete in Sukma, we felt it would be better to bar them from competing," said Zulkarnain. "Moreover, the national exponents are now preparing for the World Championships in December which will be in Penang.

"Pesaka do not want them to get injured just before such an important meet. "The reason we allowed those from the silat seni to compete as it is not a contact sport." For the record, only Pahang's Mohd Hanif Ahmad who was crowned national champion in July, is the only one from the silat seni who is eligible to compete in Kota Kinabalu.

Zulkarnain also said that Pesaka will hold their council meeting in Sabah as all their top officials will be present in Kota Kinabalu. Among the items on the agenda is the proposal of disciplinary action against the Lincah Malaysia association for their disorderly behaviours over the loss of their exponent, SEA Games champion Ismail Darus, during the national championships.

"The council will also discuss the actions of our own officials who made the mistake of appointing a Gayuh Fatani judge for the bout, which is clearly against the rules as his fighter was involved," added Zulkarnain.

Written by GRAIG NUNIS
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