National pencak silat championship

Posted date: February 15, 2013 In: Sports

| Azaraimy HH |

A TOTAL of 22 gold, 22 silver and 38 bronze medals are up for grabs in the first-ever national Pencak Silat Championship to be held at the Tutong District Sports Complex from Feb 15-20.

The championship is the first out of a series of eight sports categories included in the first-ever national sports championship at districts organised this year by Department of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.

Dyg Mariam speaking to the media yesterday. – PHOTO: AZARAIMY HH

The other sports categories included in this year’s championships are Karate-do (16-17 March in Temburong), Taekwando (4-7 April in Belait), Wushu (19-21 April in Beliat), Athletics (16-17 June in Brunei-Muara), Aquatics (June in Brunei Muara), Sepak Takraw (24-30 June in Tutong) and Lawn Bowling (June in Brunei-Muara).

In a media conference held yesterday in Tutong Sports Complex, it was learnt that the championship is considered by the government as a high-prestige sporting event towards fulfilling the national sports policy and is being placed as a mechanism to unearth new sporting talents to be given systematic training and guidance.

It was learnt that the sport categories included in the championships are the ones that were thought to have potentials to be developed and provide medals in regional or international sporting meets.

However, the Department of Sports said it’s not sidelining other sport categories and may add other categories in the future. The department also said that the categories that are being included in the championship will be evaluated from time to time as well.

This championship is also held to attract more sport athletes among the whole population to compete in a high-prestige national championship.

Among those present at the media conference yesterday were Dyg Mariam binti Ulat, Head Officer of Youth and Sports, Pengiran Mohamad bin Pengiran Hj Ludin, President of Persib, Hj Mohamad Rosfazillah bin Hj Yusly, Head of Tutong District Youth and Sports and Pengiran Hj Jaludin bin Pengiran Salleh.