Bangkok--3 Aug--Sports Authority of Thailand
Sub Press Center at Sport Hotel Suphanburi - Former Prime Minister Banharn Silpa-Archa will preside over the opening ceremony of the Pencak Silat competition in the 1st Asian Martial Arts Games tomorrow August 3, 2009, at 9.00 am at Chaofah Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Building Suphan Buri Sports Center. The ceremony will open with a Kris dance from Thailand’s southern province of Yala and a cultural performance from Kannasootsuksalai School Suphanburi. Qualifying rounds will be held through to the final rounds on August 7, 2009.
There are 50 competitors from 10 nations competing in the sport. They are from Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Lao P.D.R., Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.
Pencak Silat Competition offers a good opportunity for viewers to see the rarely-seen martial arts styles by the participating countries. As it is the 1st Martial Arts Games to be held in Thailand, and the last too as the event will join with the Asian Indoor Games in the future , this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the talents of the top Asian competitors.
Indonesia, where the sport was developed is hot favourite for gold, followed by the Philippines and Thailand.