Kota Marudu emerge overall champions
KOTA KINABALU: The Silat Olahraga Warisan Kota Marudu Club (KSOW) capitalised on the home ground advantage to lift the overall champion title in the inaugural KSOW Invitational and Closed Silat Olahraga Tournament.
KSOM bagged five gold, six silver and two bronze medals to reign supreme in the April 5-7 tournament held at the Dewan Komuniti Serambi Luar, Kota Marudu.
GW Tuaran finished second with three gold, four silver and nine bronze medals followed by Perguruan Persilatan Daerah Kota Belud with three gold and six bronze medals.
Perguruan Selendang Hijau Daerah Putatan with two gold, one silver and one bronze medals took fourth placing while Perguruan Persilatan Daerah Ranau (1g-1s-1b), Perguruan Pusaka Ilham Mahlela Kota Marudu (1s-2b) and medal-less Perguruan Persilatan Daerah Pitas finished fifth to seventh placing.
The tournament also gave away awards for the Best Male Silat Exponent which went to Ranau's Jeffrey Lidi while the female top performer was KSOW's Nur Anthasa Asyiqien Vernon.
A total of 108 silat exponents from seven teams took part in the tournament.
Tandek assemblyman Datuk Anita Baranting officiated at the opening of the tournament while president of Sabah Silat Federation (PSS Pesaka Sabah) Datuk Haji Iliyas Haji Ibrahim officiated at the closing ceremony.
In his closing speech, Iliyas welcomed the efforts of PSS Pesaka Kota Marudu and KSOW in staging the tournament.
He said one way to develop Silat effectively was through organising competitions and he hoped that it would be emulated by other district affiliates of Pesaka Sabah.
"I also believe that all the Pesaka districts can play an important role in attracting the younger generations to be involved in healthy and beneficial activities including silat.
"I'm sure that their involvement, especially in silat, will educate them to become a responsible individual," added Iliyas.
Also present at the closing ceremony were KSOW president Mohd Zulkairi Md Daud, organising chairman Mursidi Musri, PSS Pesaka Kota Marudu president Jamal Radin and PSS Pesaka Sabah delegation.