KUALA TERENGGANU: Gendang silat will vibrate more vigorously in Terengganu when each of the 32 state constituencies has a new court, under a RM1.6 million allocation, to boost the sport.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman said the initiative was to bolster interest in the traditional Malay art of self-defence, especially among the younger generation.
“We want locals to be well-versed in silat and appreciate it as one of our age-old heritage.
“Besides, silat is a healthy activity that can combat obesity and it is still a very popular attraction for tourists,” said Razif, adding it would be adopted under the New Terengganu Transformation programme.
Terengganu’s current ‘Sportswoman of the Year 2016’ is world silat champion Siti Rahmah Mohamad who bagged the title at the world championship in Bali, Indonesia earlier this year.
Razif said that Terengganu was bent on retaining and keeping alive the various silat movements, including the exclusive silat kura-kura (movements akin to turtles), for generations to come.
“For this, the state government will disburse RM50,000 for each constituency to prepare the competition court and equipment, while Pesaka (or the National Silat Federation) will offer technical expertise and coordinate training.
“We will also propagate the sport among schools,” said Razif after officiating the ‘Gendang Silat 2017’ competition at Batu Burok.
The two-day competition saw 16 teams participating and it is part of the Beach Festival held in conjunction with ‘Visit Beautiful Terengganu 2017’.
Gendang silat revolves around intrinsic movements according to the beating of drums and gong, and is accompanied by the flute.
The competition also took into consideration the exponents’ skills, techniques, costumes, tanjak (headgear) and music composition in the four-minute presentation.
Razif, who is state tourism and culture committee chairman, said gendang silat would live on for generations to come and is a crowd-puller wherever it was held.
Meanwhile, Terengganu Pesaka president Datuk Rosol Wahid said there are currently 30 silat courts more than 8,000 active members state-wide.
“We have to keep the sport alive, especially among the youths in villages, as age has caught up with many of the veterans who are soon retiring.
“If interest among the younger set is not rekindled, the sport will die a natural death,” he said.