PESAKA: Sea Games Silat exponents will deliver more than two golds

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia National Silat Federation (PESAKA) is optimistic that its national line-up of young silat exponents can bring in more than two gold medals at the 2019 SEA Games in the Philippines in November.
Its secretary-general, Datuk Megat Zulkarnain Omardin was confident that the young exponents would be able to deliver outstanding performances despite the host country’s decision to drop several key events that had gold written all over them for Malaysia.
“I am not worried at all because the exponents going to SEA Games this year are new faces who also are national champions and who have gone through the selection process against elite exponents.
“These young athletes do not fear anyone as they only want to win and do not care who they are facing. That is why I like young exponents in my squad,” he said.
Megat Zulkarnain, who is also the national contingent chief for the games, told reporters this when met after visiting the national silat squad at the National Sports Council in Bukit Jalil here today.
Earlier, he also visited the weightlifting and archery squads with contingent deputy heads, National Sports Institute chief executive officer Ahmad Faedzal Md Ramli and former national swimmer Nurul Huda Abdullah.
Meanwhile, national silat exponent Muhammad Faizul M. Nasir is expecting intense rivalry from the Singapore and Vietnam contestants in his effort to defend his gold medal in the Putera Class B events (50-55 kg). He won gold in the 2015 and 2017 SEA Games in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, respectively.
“Based on my preparations, I am confident of scoring a gold hattrick,” said the Petaling Jaya-born athlete.
He said the national silat squad would be participating in several warm-up tournaments, one of which would be the National Silat Championships at the Titiwangsa Stadium in September.
For the record, the national silat squad emerged as champions at the 2017 games after winning 10 gold medals.