Bandar Seri Begawan- The 2007 Brunei Darussalam National Silat Championships was officially launched at the Multi pupose hall, Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Sports Complex in Berakas last night.
Held in conjunction with His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu‘izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam‘s 61st birthday celebration, the tournament also acts as a pre-selection process for the national team.
On hand to launch the event was Hj Musa Pengarah Hj Jair, the first deputy vice-president of the Brunei Darussalam National Silat Association (Persib).
The honours of citing the national "pesilat" oath was given to 16-year-old exponent, Nurul Aimi Amalidya Zainidi, who did the country proud at the 2007 World Pencak Silat Junior Championships in Singapore when she bagged the gold medal in the "seni bela diri" category and silver in the "tanding" (class A) category.
Although the official launching was in the evening, the tournament had begun its preliminary matches at 2pm, with the men‘s "tanding" (class A and C), "silat cakak asli"and "kuntau".
The men‘s and women‘s "seni bela diri" matches were held last evening, with the men‘s "tanding" (class B) closing the night.
The "tanding", "silat cakak asli" and "kuntau" categories for both men and women will continue today until July 27.
More than 200 participants are competing this year coming from Brunei-Muara, Tutong, Belait, Temburong as well as the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Royal Brunei Police Force, Brunei Darussalam Prison Department and Sports School.The Brunei Times
Source: www.bruneitimes.com (23 Juli 2007)
