News DeskAbu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi is set to host the 20th edition of the World “Pencak Silat” Championship, alongside the 5th Junior World Pencak Silat Championship, from December 18 to 22, 2024, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC). The event promises to be one of the biggest and most exciting sports gatherings in the region, drawing top-tier athletes from around the world.
The World Championship, organized by the International Pencak Silat Federation in collaboration with the General Authority for Sports and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, is expected to attract over 1,200 participants from 55 countries. Participants will compete in a range of categories, including both artistic performances and combat matches, which feature defensive techniques, powerful strikes, and takedowns. Competitions will be held for age groups ranging from 12 to 46 years.
Pencak Silat has grown in popularity worldwide. It is a key step towards the sport’s bid for inclusion in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, following its successful exhibition in the Paris 2024 Olympic and the 2022 World Pencak Championship in Malaysia. The Abu Dhabi event will celebrate the sport’s rich history and cultural significance, introducing it to a new audience in the Middle East.
“We are proud to host the 20th edition of the World Pencak Silat Championship, alongside the 5th Junior World Pencak Silat Championship, here in Abu Dhabi. This major event reflects our ongoing commitment to enhancing the UAE’s position as a global sports destination,” said Fouad Darwish, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Palms Sports PJSC. For his part, Roy Z. Kamsanee, Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the World Pencak Silat Championship 2024 and Director of the International Pencak Silat Federation, said “We hope this year’s championship will be a key milestone in the growth of Pencak Silat worldwide, as well as a significant step toward the sport’s Olympic inclusion”.
