Pesaka welcome idea to review point-scoring system

THE National Silat Federation (Pesaka) secretary-general Datuk Megat Zulkarnain Omardin has welcomed a move mooted by the Asian Pencak Silat Federation (APSIF) to review the point-scoring system in the sport.

Hosts Indonesia dominated the medal tally, winning 14 gold medals out of 16 offered.

Malaysia targeted three golds but settled for four silvers and four bronzes.

APSIF president

Sheik Alauddin Yacoob Marican, who is also Singapore’s team manager, alleged that the jurors were inconsistent in awarding points.

Megat said an electronic scoring system should be implemented to ensure the sport remains in the 2022 Games in Hangzhou, China.

“We’ll be meeting other APSIF members to garner support.

“We want the sport to be transparent so that other countries will take up the sport,” said Megat.

“We want to push silat to be a regular sport in the Asiad. I don’t think the sport will go far if it’s plagued by inconsistent judging.

“Using the electronic scoring system like the other combat sports is a move forward for silat. It eliminates judging error and is more transparent.”

On the Malaysian exponents’ performance at the Games, he said: “We didn’t meet our three-gold target but we were on the podium in eight of the 15 events. It’s still a good achievement.”