Sarawak aims to excel in pencak silat at 2024 Sukma
SIBU: The sport of pencak silat, which offers 28 gold medals at this year’s Malaysia Games (Sukma), can be a crucial factor to determine Sarawak’s overall standing in August. This is according to Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) CEO Awang Putrayusrie Awang Redzuan. He observed that the state silat squad won six gold medals at the 2016 Sukma.
“However, this time round, and if possible, we aim for at least half of the total gold medals on offer and, if we can reach that target, there is a high chance we can emerge overall champion,” he said when officiating the opening of the silat competition at Suksar III at the MUC hall here yesterday.
“This year is the best chance for Sarawak to emerge overall champion as it has been 30 years since the last time Sarawak lifted the title,” he added.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Silat Sports Federation deputy president Dato Mohamad Yusnar Matalie revealed the preparations for Sarawak silat athletes to excel in the upcoming 21st edition of Sukma.
“Throughout last year, we took part in several championships including the Jebat Legend Cup Open Silat Championship and National Youth Silat Championship, all aimed at enhancing and upgrading the standard and performance of the players. We have also assembled a formidable team of young talented players for us to evaluate their performance and abilities for participation in Sukma training camp which is expected to start in early February,” he said.
Yusnar, however, remained coy about gold medal prospects for the state squad in August.
“Other states are also ready to fight as hard as we are but we are grateful to have a new crop of players and our preparations are also quite thorough,” he added.
A total of 105 silat fighters from all four zones are taking part in Suksar III.