One silat association in every school by 2020 - Pesaka

The Malaysian Silat Federation (Pesaka) are hoping that all primary and secondary schools throughout the country will set up silat associations as part of their co-curricular activities by 2020.

Pesaka president Tan Sri Mohd Ali Rustam said currently 1,200 schools in the country have silat associations while another 9,000 schools are targetted to set up similar associations by 2020.

He said the initiative was required to ensure the Malay art of self defence would continue to be enhanced to preserve the Malay culture.

"All the relevant authorities including the education department, schools and Parent Teachers Association must play an important role to support the 1School 1Silat programme carried out by the Education Ministry," he said after opening a similar programme at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Ayer Keroh, here Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Ali Rustam said Pesaka were targetting eight of the 20 gold medals offered in the 2017 SEA Games that will be held from Aug 19-31. - BERNAMA