Silat still recognized as an Asian sport<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's desire to see its traditional
\nmartial arts, pencak silat, featured in the Asian Games (Asiad)
\nreceived encouragement from Indonesian Pencak Silat Association
\n(IPSI) official in charge of foreign affairs Oyong Karmayudha on
\nTuesday.<\/p>\n
Despite the bad news conveyed Monday by IPSI chairman Eddy
\nNalapraya that Asiad would replace pencak silat with snooker and
\nsquash, Oyong denied the news.<\/p>\n
\"In fact, pencak silat is still recognized as an Asian sport
\nthat can be held in any Asian Games. The recognition is truly an
\nachievement,\" Oyong told The Jakarta Post on the sidelines of the
\n2000 Pencak Silat World Championship final preparation at Pencak
\nSilat Center in Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, East Jakarta.<\/p>\n
\"Whether a host will stage pencak silat or not is a different
\nmatter. It's the host's right to do so. We have to argue the
\nissue.\"<\/p>\n
Local media quoted Eddy as saying that pencak silat failed to
\nmake its debut in Asiad following the election of Qatar capital
\nof Doha as host. Reports also said that snooker and squash would
\nreplace pencak silat in the quadrennial event in Pusan, South
\nKorea, in 2002.<\/p>\n
\"The news is totally false and misleading. There is no
\nconnection between Doha being elected the host and the chance for
\npencak silat to be recognized as an Asian sport,\" said Oyong.<\/p>\n
\"As for snooker and squash, both sports were recognized as
\nAsiad sports during previous Olympic Council of Asia (OCA)
\nmeetings. Pusan, as the host, has the right to have the sports
\nfor the 2002 Asiad.\"<\/p>\n
Oyong said Pusan organizers were having financial problems and
\nthe governing bodies of both sports would be required to cover
\nall related expenses.<\/p>\n
\"If we want to have pencak silat to be featured as an
\nexhibition event in Pusan, we have to cover all the expenses. The
\nhost will only provide the venue.\"<\/p>\n
\"I will explain to members of the International Pencak Silat
\nFederation (Persilat) in our Saturday conference the possibility
\nof demonstrating the sport in Pusan at our own expense.\"<\/p>\n
Oyong also said Qatar and several other Middle East countries
\nhave mentioned their interest to learn pencak silat and had
\nrequested Indonesia to send coaches.<\/p>\n
\"Currently, there are pencak silat schools in Saudi Arabia,
\nUnited Arab Emirates, Jordan, Syria, and Palestine. Kuwait has
\nalso asked for coaches.\"<\/p>\n
\"If we can develop pencak silat in the Gulf, we will find no
\ndifficulties to stage the sport in Doha. We still have six years
\nto prepare.\"<\/p>\n
The championships were officially opened by Vice President
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri. The first round matches start Wednesday.<\/p>\n
In the men's side first round, Abdul Karim will meet Nguyen
\nThant Thuy of Vietnam in A class (45-50kgs) and compatriot Abas
\nAkbar will see Rico Rodriguez of Spain in D class (60-65kgs).<\/p>\n
Haris Nugroho will face Jan van Houten of the Netherlands in E
\ndivision (65-70kgs) and Fentje Roike Maengkom will meet another
\nDutchman Martijn Houwerzyl in F class (70-75kgs).<\/p>\n
Rony Syaifullah will challenge Verdun Jan of Belgium in G
\nclass (75-80kgs) and Sigit Infantoro will meet Roberto Chiong of
\nthe Phillipines in H division (80-85kgs). Samuel Mallo will see
\nLandajo Echavarria of Spain in the heaviest J class (90-95kgs).<\/p>\n
In the women's section, Tina Martina will face Trinh Thi Muy
\nof Vietnam in C class (55-60kgs) while Alfana will meet Mastura
\nbinte Sapuan of Malaysia in D class.<\/p>\n
Other matches will include Septi Hariandja who will see
\nPieters Wendy of Belgium in E class and Dwi Damayanti, who will
\nface Norsharina of Brunei Darussalam in F class. (nvn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/silat-still-recognized-as-an-asian-sport-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}