Indonesia Embassy pledges to support Ghana Pencak Silat Federation
The Indonesia Embassy in Accra has pledged support for the development and promotion of Pencak Silat fighting in Ghana.
The sport of Indonesian origin is developed in Ghana by the Ghana Pencak Silat Federation (GPSF) headed by Mr Festus Mankatah Annan.
It involves full-body fighting, where any body part can be used and any part can be attacked. This form of fighting originated in Indonesia as a means of self-defense and turned into a competitive sport.
This form of fighting involves punching, kicking, striking, grappling, throwing, evasion, and locking techniques also called joint manipulation
Welcoming a team of GPSF executives to the embassy last Thursday, the Indonesia Ambassador, Mr Paskal A.B. Rois, commended them for recognising the role they can play to make the sport popular in Ghana.
According to Mr Rois, the embassy will support the federation` coaches and athletes who excel in both sports and education with a scholarship to continue with their studies in Indonesia.
The embassy, he noted, was committed to foster a stronger relationship between the two nations through sports, education and diplomacy.
“We believe that sports and education can bridge cultural divides and foster lasting relationships. We look forward to working closely with the Ghana Pencak Silat Federation and any educational institutions practicing Pencak Silat to achieve greatness,” he said.
Mr Rois pledged to convince Indonesian business entities in Ghana to support the Ghana team currently preparing for the Pencak Silat World Championships in Abu Dhabi.
On his part, Mr Annan who led the GPSF executives, stated that the meeting centred on collaboration between the Indonesian Embassy in Ghana and the federation.
After introducing other members of the executives, Mr Annan detailed the developmental strategies of the federation and acknowledged the long-standing relationship between the two countries and the support Ghana have received from Indonesia over the years.
Ghana is set to make her debut appearance at the Pencat Silat World Championship in Abu Dhabi on December 16-23, 2024.
Indonesia, rated among the top five countries in the world as far as the sport is concerned, will make an appearance.
Mr Annan presented an official Pencak Silat uniform prescribed by the International Pencak Silat Federation for the World Championship to His Excellency Paskal A.B. Rois to show the team`s readiness in winning medals for Team Ghana.
BY TIMES SPORTS REPORTER
