Malaysia hosted their very first Gewinn Malaysia Open International Silambam Championship at the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Stadium which ended today.
The two-day tournament was organised with the collaboration of the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Kuala Lumpur City Council and nine Silambam associations.
Silambam – a weapon-based martial art originated from India – had participants registered throughout Malaysia and international participants from Bangladesh and India.
According to Master Rajan, the organising chairman of the tournament, a total of 350 members of youth and seniors (male and female) aged between seven to 30-year-old took part in the championship.
The nine Silambam associations from around the country which took part were Perak, Putrajaya, Perak Kalari Silambam Association, Muhibah Silambam Club, MGR Silambam Malaysia, Adithada WPKL Association, MSPKM, Speed Power Silambam Malaysia and PORR Kalai Association.
“The objective today is to keep the tradition alive and show the public how it can grow as a sport.
“So far, we have only introduced two events – combat and stick movements. We are trying to promote the art and we do hope it will spark an interest among the youth as a sport itself.
“It’s not easy to promote a martial art but I believe as a sport, it will grow faster,” said Rajan. – BY ALVIN OH
