SINGAPORE: There are big plans for silat in Singapore, including getting the Asian Federation to set up its base here.

Working towards that goal, the sport is organising the Pencak Silat Championships, which for the first time will have three competitions running simultaneously.

The competitions will cater to different age groups, and Singapore is confident of winning 17 gold medals in totals.

Silat will be one of 12 core sports to be housed at the new Sports Hub in Kallang.

In line with that, the sport is hoping to get the region involved.

Sheik Alauddin, Organising Chairman, Pencak Silat Championships, said, "(We want) the Asian Federation to be hubbed in Singapore... We want the referee to be hubbed in Singapore also. And we are working very hard for silat to be in Commonwealth Games, Olympics, Asian Games and so on."

For the moment, the focus will be on the Silat Championships in March, where 15 countries, including Russia, will battle for the honours.

Nurindah Mursani is a potential winner for Singapore in the World Junior Championship for those aged between 14 and 17.

The 15-year-old Sport School student will compete in two events - the single artistic and match categories.

Nurindah said, "I want to become aprofessional one day like all my seniors now."

Singapore is aiming for five gold medals in the Junior events, and four at the Senior events in the Singapore International Open.

Meanwhile, for the first time, 12-year-old will compete in the 1st Pre-Junior Category for those aged 12 to 13 - where Singapore expects eight gold medals.

The three-day event kicks off at the Bedok Sports Hall on March 9. - CNA/ms