For the first time, Nagaland Pencak Silat Association (NPSA), will be participating at the 3rd edition Nagaland Olympic and Paralympic Games 2024 and North East Olympic which will take place in Nagaland from March 18 to 23. This was informed by president NPSA and member organizing committee Nagaland Olympic Games 2024, Khevishe Sema, while addressing the media fraternity at Tourist Lodge, Dimapur on Sunday during the preparatory meeting for NE Olympic Games 2024, organized by NPSA in association with North East Pencak Silat Federation (NEPSF).
For the first time, Pencak Silat has been included in the Nagaland Olympic Games (NOG) where 72 players of senior category are scheduled to compete in two days Pencak Silat competition which will be officiated by 14 officials.
On the first day, there will be an opening ceremony-cum- anniversary programme of NPSA followed by the competition and will be graced by president, Dimapur Urban Council Chairman Federation, Zasivikho Zakiesato as chief guest.
Meanwhile, six days 3rd edition of NE Olympic Games hosted by NOA, in collaboration with the NE Olympic Association & Deptt. of Youth Resource & Sports, Government of Nagaland will witness participants from Assam, Arunachal, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.
The NE Pencak Silat Federation and NPSA while expressing their gratitude to the NOA & Deptt. of Youth Resource & Sports Government of Nagaland for hosting the NE Olympic Games and included Pencak Silat for the first time in creating opportunities for the region’s talented and skilled youths, thanked the chief minister and president NOA Neiphiu Rio, chairman IDAN and secretary general NOA, Abu Metha and advisor Youth Resources And Sports, Keoshu Yimchunger for the invaluable recognition and inclusion of Penchak Silat game in the upcoming Nagaland Olympic & Paralympic Games and NE Olympic Games.
Khevishe Sema while highlighting aspects and benefits of learning Pencak Silat informed that NPSA have bagged 97 medals at several major tournaments under different categories held across the country.
Pencak Silat is a traditional martial art originating from South East Asia with strong roots in Indonesian culture, which encompasses a diverse range of styles, emphasizing both armed and unarmed combat techniques.
Currently, Pencak Silat martial art has spread to 93 nations with each of the countries already establishing Pencak Silat Federation.
Pencak Silat which is the latest form of martial arts and widely gaining its popularity all over the world, the governing body in India Known as “Indian Pencak Silat Federation” (IPSF) headed by director general Md. Iqbal and its president Kishor Prakash Yewale is registered and recognized by Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India, Olympic Council of Asia, Asian Indoor martial art games, sports authority of India, International Pencak Silat Federation and many other prominent association.
So far, 32 states & union territories have affiliated with IPSF.