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Silat gets into the act
RIGHT NOW, it is a traditional form of martial arts practised predominantly by Malays. . But silat could well be on the way to acceptance as a mainstream sport in the not too distant future. . Next month, it will join the other seven core sports currently offered by the Singapore Sports School. Eight athletes, to be chosen by the Singapore Silat Federation (SSF), will become silat pioneers in the school.
With the move, all eight core sports will be on the school's curriculum -- athletics, badminton, bowling, football, sailing, swimming, silat and table tennis. . "At last, we are level with the rest of the core sports," said Sheik Alau'ddin, SSF's technical director. "Since the Sports School started in 2004, we have lobbied for silat to be included in the school. After pushing hard for the past year, we are overwhelmed that we have finally gained admission."
Selection for the first batch of eight students at the Secondary 1 and 2 levels, is still ongoing. Once selected, they will train under the SSF's coaches at the school's Woodlands campus.
Their main target will be the 2010 World Championships . The SSF hope to increase the Sports School's yearly intake by four athletes each year.
They have also promised to help students who have difficulty paying the $500 monthly school fees. The financial assistance is above the estimated yearly expenses of $135,000 the National Sports Association is forking out for staffing and equipment costs.
He said: "We will help parents with funding if they have problems. The federation are currently in talks with sponsors to help kids who have financial difficulties."
After a mixed 2005, the SSF hope the latest development news will serve as a launchpad for a great 2006.
Silat was the biggest winner at the Singapore Sports Awards last May, bagging 18 awards — including the Sportsboy and Sportsgirl of the Year titles.
But their haul of one gold, three silvers and seven bronzes at last December's SEA Games in the Philippines paled in comparison to their achievement two years ago at the Vietnam Games, where Singapore grabbed three gold, two silver and 10 bronze medals
With the sport not included in December's Asian Games in Doha, the SSF are targeting a good showing in the World Championships in December. They hope to maintain their 2004 feat of four gold medals.
But achieving the target won't be easy. As the national squad is much changed.
Rookies made up half of the 40-strong squad when the team resumed training earlier this month.
Abdul Kadir Ibrahim, the 1997 world champion, has retired and is heading the SSF's youth development programme, while 2004 world champion Mohammad Imran Abdul Rahman will likely miss out on defending his title when he enlists for National Service in April.
"Compared to powerhouses Vietnam and Malaysia, we have a young squad," Sheik, who is also the national coach, admitted. "But the hunger to do well among the athletes is still there. I'm confident that we can bounce back from our poor SEA Games showing." - Today
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