1,067 Athletes Participate In International Silat Festival

PADANG, W Sumatra, Oct 21 (Antara) - A total of 1,067 athletes from ten countries are participating in the International Silat Festival being held from October 20-30 in Padang, West Sumatra. The ten countries are Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Madagascar, Timor Leste, Lithuania, Fiji, Poland and Italy. Vice Governor of West Sumatra, Nasrul Abit, officially opened the International Silat Festival that was held to introduce martial arts originating in Minangkabau to young people and the international community. "Pencak silat is a part of Indonesia's cultural heritage and should be preserved," he said in an opening speech at the international martial arts festival in Semen Padang playfield, here on Thursday. He cautioned that care should be taken that other countries do not start claiming silat or according recognition to it as their property. Moreover, the martial arts event has become a national and even an international event. This event will help prepare people to see silat as a sport will be featured in the upcoming 20th National Sports Week (PON) in Papua. "We will always support an event like this, and would want it to go global and become widely known," he underlined. Meanwhile, the Head of Padang City, Mahyeldi Ansyarullah, said this event was aimed at introducing martial arts to the international community. In addition, the silat festival offers an opportunity to the fighters to practice in real environment, thus preparing them better to face greater competition at the national and provincial level. "It also gives a chance to kindle the interest of the young generation in the traditional martial arts," he concluded.