NILAI: The Malaysian National Silat Federation (Pesaka) has been encouraged to work with 91 countries that have silat associations to promote the martial art, with the aim of having it contested at the Olympic Games in the future.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said such collaboration is crucial to strengthening silat's position on the international stage, thereby ensuring its continued growth and recognition as a global sport.
"As the President of the International Silat Federation is Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto, I am confident he will help drive this matter forward (bringing silat to the Olympic Games).
"We hope that more countries will form their own silat associations, which could then enable the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to consider including silat as an Olympic competition event," he said.
He said this to reporters after officiating the Malaysian National Silat Gathering 2025, which was also attended by Pesaka president Datuk Megat Zulkarnain Omardin here on Saturday (Oct 25).
Ahmad Zahid said that for silat to be included as a sport at the Olympic Games, it must first receive IOC endorsement, and he hopes that at least three-quarters of countries worldwide would take up the sport.
He added that there are currently 414 registered silat associations or schools across the country, reflecting growing interest in the martial art among Malaysians.
Meanwhile, Megat Zulkarnain said the federation had previously engaged with the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) on the matter, and silat was showcased as a demonstration sport at the recent Paris Olympic Games.
"I believe the Deputy Prime Minister is very committed to seeing silat contested at the Olympic level," he said.
Megat Zulkarnain added that the response from world Olympic leaders has been very positive, opening a pathway for silat to be officially listed in future editions of the Games, whether at the 2028 or 2032 Olympics.
He said the martial art now has representation across the five major continents, with federations in each region, including Southeast Asia, Europe, Africa and Central America. – Bernama
