Universitas Gadjah Mada is hosting the Fifth Silat Martial Arts Competition between Indonesian universities from 24 September – 1 October 2014. As many as 422 silat martial artists from 61 universities will participate in the event.
“Welcome to Universitas Gadjah Mada in Jogja, we will begin the silat competition today. We hope this will lead to national level achievements which will also promote the Indonesian silat martial art,” said Prof. Dr. Ir. Budi Santoso Wignyosukarto, Dip.HE, Vice Rector for Human Resource and Assetts, opening the event at the Indoor Stadium of Universitas Gadjah Mada, Thursday (25/9).
Muhammad Rafif Murazza, committee chairman, explained the aim of the competition is to seek young qualified silat artists as well as establishing networking among players of the sport across Indonesia.
“The hope is the competition would be able to form a strong, intellectual generation with sportmanship and noble characters whilst promoting pencak silat as the indigenous Indonesian culture,” he said.
Muh. Rafif added the theme of the event is Pencak Silat Culture for the Nation’s Achievement among the Young Generation.
“We hope the event would run well and successful whilst generating outstanding silat martial artists nationally and internationally,” he added.