SILAT WILL MOVE 'UPHILL'

SSF chief plans to improve governance, selection process and coaching quality

- Deepanraj Ganesan

After leading the Singapore Silat Federation (SSF) as president from 2000 to 2016, Abdullah Shafiie Mohamed Sidik had been content watching the sport thrive under the stewardship of the next generation.

But over the last year, he has felt "hurt and saddened" by the negative headlines surrounding the sport.

Responding to calls from the silat fraternity, the 65-year-old decided to return and help steer the organisation back on course.

On Oct 7, he was confirmed as the president for at least a two-year term, after being elected unopposed along with eight appointment holders and committee members during its annual general meeting (AGM) on Sept 28.

In an interview with The Straits Times at his Bedok home on Oct 16, Abdullah shared openly about his plans, adding that the board is already hard at work charting a new path for SSF, focusing on the rejuvenation of Singapore silat.

Abdullah, a Public Service Star recipient in 2019 and a veteran grassroots leader, said: "I was very sad in the last two years when I heard and read about what was happening in silat. "People would come up to me and ask, 'What happened to SSF?', assuming that I was still there. You feel hurt by the questions too. Recently, the situation got so bad, there was infighting and there were even quarrels in the AGM."