Silat still recognized as an Asian sport

Silat still recognized as an Asian sport

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's desire to see its traditional
martial arts, pencak silat, featured in the Asian Games (Asiad)
received encouragement from Indonesian Pencak Silat Association
(IPSI) official in charge of foreign affairs Oyong Karmayudha on
Tuesday.

Despite the bad news conveyed Monday by IPSI chairman Eddy
Nalapraya that Asiad would replace pencak silat with snooker and
squash, Oyong denied the news.

"In fact, pencak silat is still recognized as an Asian sport
that can be held in any Asian Games. The recognition is truly an
achievement," Oyong told The Jakarta Post on the sidelines of the
2000 Pencak Silat World Championship final preparation at Pencak
Silat Center in Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, East Jakarta.

"Whether a host will stage pencak silat or not is a different
matter. It's the host's right to do so. We have to argue the
issue."

Local media quoted Eddy as saying that pencak silat failed to
make its debut in Asiad following the election of Qatar capital
of Doha as host. Reports also said that snooker and squash would
replace pencak silat in the quadrennial event in Pusan, South
Korea, in 2002.

"The news is totally false and misleading. There is no
connection between Doha being elected the host and the chance for
pencak silat to be recognized as an Asian sport," said Oyong.

"As for snooker and squash, both sports were recognized as
Asiad sports during previous Olympic Council of Asia (OCA)
meetings. Pusan, as the host, has the right to have the sports
for the 2002 Asiad."

Oyong said Pusan organizers were having financial problems and
the governing bodies of both sports would be required to cover
all related expenses.

"If we want to have pencak silat to be featured as an
exhibition event in Pusan, we have to cover all the expenses. The
host will only provide the venue."

"I will explain to members of the International Pencak Silat
Federation (Persilat) in our Saturday conference the possibility
of demonstrating the sport in Pusan at our own expense."

Oyong also said Qatar and several other Middle East countries
have mentioned their interest to learn pencak silat and had
requested Indonesia to send coaches.

"Currently, there are pencak silat schools in Saudi Arabia,
United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Syria, and Palestine. Kuwait has
also asked for coaches."

"If we can develop pencak silat in the Gulf, we will find no
difficulties to stage the sport in Doha. We still have six years
to prepare."

The championships were officially opened by Vice President
Megawati Soekarnoputri. The first round matches start Wednesday.

In the men's side first round, Abdul Karim will meet Nguyen
Thant Thuy of Vietnam in A class (45-50kgs) and compatriot Abas
Akbar will see Rico Rodriguez of Spain in D class (60-65kgs).

Haris Nugroho will face Jan van Houten of the Netherlands in E
division (65-70kgs) and Fentje Roike Maengkom will meet another
Dutchman Martijn Houwerzyl in F class (70-75kgs).

Rony Syaifullah will challenge Verdun Jan of Belgium in G
class (75-80kgs) and Sigit Infantoro will meet Roberto Chiong of
the Phillipines in H division (80-85kgs). Samuel Mallo will see
Landajo Echavarria of Spain in the heaviest J class (90-95kgs).

In the women's section, Tina Martina will face Trinh Thi Muy
of Vietnam in C class (55-60kgs) while Alfana will meet Mastura
binte Sapuan of Malaysia in D class.

Other matches will include Septi Hariandja who will see
Pieters Wendy of Belgium in E class and Dwi Damayanti, who will
face Norsharina of Brunei Darussalam in F class. (nvn)