Shillong, July 6: The 14th Senior National Pencak Silat Championship 2026 got underway at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centre on the NEHU campus in Shillong on Monday, bringing together around 1,500 athletes from 36 states, Union Territories and sports boards for the three-day national event.
The championship is being organised by the Indian Pencak Silat Federation (IPSF) in collaboration with the Meghalaya Pencak Silat Association (MPSA). Athletes are competing in both the tanding (combat) and seni (artistic) disciplines of pencak silat, the Indonesian martial art that is included in the Asian Games programme.
During the opening ceremony, a memorandum highlighting the future development of pencak silat in Meghalaya and the Northeast was presented to the chief guest, Meghalaya State Olympic Association (MSOA) Working President John F. Kharshiing.
Addressing the gathering, Kharshiing said discussions are continuing between the Central Government, Meghalaya Government, the Indian Olympic Association and the MSOA regarding the final list of sports for the 39th National Games, which Meghalaya will host next year.
Senior IPSF Vice-President Philia Thomas reflected on the remarkable progress of pencak silat in India over the past decade. “Ten years ago the sport had no recognition, no infrastructure and no future. There were only a few dedicated coaches and players in a handful of states who kept it alive,” she said. “Today, district, state and national championships are being held regularly, and India is winning medals on the international stage. We have truly made pencak silat our own.”
IPSF President Kishore Yealiah, MPSA President Dipshon Ryntathiang and Tournament Committee Head Alexander Thomas also addressed the gathering.
The ceremony concluded with an impressive pencak silat demonstration, as a team of martial artists showcased the sport’s blend of technique, agility and artistry through a choreographed performance that drew enthusiastic applause from spectators and participants alike.
The host state has also fielded a contingent despite the Meghalaya Pencak Silat Association being only about a year old. Expectations are high after Meghalaya’s women emerged overall champions at the Senior National Khelo India ASMITA Pencak Silat League in March, and the state will be looking to build on that success with another strong showing on home soil.
