Ghana Pencak Silat Federation Meets Malaysian High Commissioner Ahead of World Championship
An official delegation from the Ghana Pencak Silat Federation, led by its President Mr. Festus Mankatah Annan Snr, was welcomed by the Malaysian High Commission in Ghana on Monday, October 14, 2024. During the meeting, the Federation’s leadership highlighted the potential benefits of Ghana-Malaysia collaboration in Silat sports and shared Ghana‘s prospects for winning medals at the 20th Pencak Silat World Championship, scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi from December 16th to 23rd, 2024.

The gathering was an essential step towards strengthening partnerships and preparing for the highly anticipated event, which is set to attract over 1,000 athletes and officials from 82 member federations. The Malaysian High Commissioner, His Excellency Syed Nauzer Idid Bin Syed Yusoff Idid, expressed his pleasure in welcoming the Ghana Pencak Silat Federation and shared valuable insights into traditional martial arts sports. He pledged support for the development of Pencak Silat both internationally and within Ghana, with a particular focus on youth engagement and promoting local talent.

The discussion emphasized the importance of collaboration and knowledge exchange between Ghana and Malaysia, especially in harnessing the role of young people in the future growth of Silat. The Federation and the Malaysian High Commission underscored the need to involve youth voices in sports development, ensuring that they play a key role in shaping the future of Pencak Silat.
Pencak Silat is a martial art that originated in Indonesia, combining various fighting styles, including striking, grappling, and throwing. It has evolved into a competitive sport practiced in over 82 countries. It involves full-body combat where any part of the body can be used for both attacking and defense.
Mr. Raja Afi Amierul Aiman, the Third Secretary at the Malaysian High Commission, expressed admiration for the Federation’s efforts in promoting Silat in Ghana and praised its commitment to nurturing youth talent. The President of the Ghana Pencak Silat Federation, Mr. Festus Mankatah Annan, concluded the meeting by thanking the High Commission for the warm reception and highlighting the significance of collaboration in advancing the sport locally and globally. He emphasized that the involvement of the youth is crucial for a sustainable future for Silat in Ghana.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with key steps proposed to foster meaningful collaborations and strengthen youth involvement in the development of Pencak Silat.