MALAYSIA GEARS UP TO HOST 2022 WORLD SILAT CHAMPIONSHIP

KUALA LUMPUR (20 July 2022): The 2022 World Silat Championship promises an action-packed treat for fans at the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC) in Ayer Keroh next week.

A total of 40 countries will be vying for supremacy from 26 to 31 July.

India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Egypt, Canada, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany and the United States are among the nations that have confirmed their participation, said the Malaysian National Silat Federation (PESAKA) at a press conference today.

President of PESAKA, Datuk Megat Zulkarnain Tan Sri Omardin, said Malaysia are ready to stage the event for the international athletes to showcase their combat skills.

"We welcome the silat exponents from 40 countries to compete here. We are well prepared and have all the logistics in place to host this grand event.

"The response is overwhelming, with countries like India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Canada, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany and the United States set to inject more excitement into the World Championships.

"Some nations have registered early to prepare well for the championships. This is to their advantage to establish a solid team.

"Malaysia have done the same. We have home advantage, and this will definitely uplift the spirit within the Malaysian camp," he added.

Datuk Megat Zulkarnain said the national silat exponents have trained all year round at the National Silat Training Centre (MSN Complex) in Nilai.

"Our exponents are in good shape to shoulder this responsibility. And I believe we have the potential to emerge as champions.

"We have ensured that our exponents are at their best at all times. We monitor their progress and are leaving no stone unturned in our bid to become the best," said Datuk Megat Zulkarnain.

The 2022 World Silat Championship will also be of special significance for three-time world champion Al Jufferi Jamari.

The 30-year-old former National Sportsman of the Year is said to be competing for the last time before he retires.

Siti Rahmah Mohamed Nasir, who recently won a silver medal at the SEA Games in Hanoi, will be a mainstay for Malaysia in the female category.

The 19th edition of the World Silat Championship will also feature the commencement of the International Silat Arts Festival, in line with silat's recognition by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.