A brief history of Gayong Ireland

History of Silat Seni Gayong Malaysia in RCSI at a glance...

The idea about bringing together a sports society of Silat Seni Gayong Malaysia, a traditional Malay martial art was brought about by a group of Malay students studying in RCSI. The idea was supported by the Malaysian Embassy who proposed to the establishment of Silat Seni Gayong Malaysia to be registered under this college, as our medium to share the richness culture with our fellow students Ireland, especially from RCSI.

The idea was then brought forward to the Pertubuhan Silat Seni Gayong Malaysia (PSSGM), based in our home country for further opinion, since this is among the pioneer projects of opening and sharing this rare martial arts with outside people which how it was traditionally done. We have full support with latter idea and hence, we proceeded with the formal application to establish under the Sports Union of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI).

Our first meeting was brought about in the Friendship Room, where a representative from PSSGM visited us in guiding our way through the establishment of the society.

Picture 1: First ever meeting of Silat Seni Gayong Association of Ireland in RCSI on the 22^nd March 2007. From Left: Munirah Alias, Nor Hairunnisak Mahadun, Idzatun Nasyiah Mustafa, Shaiful Hakim Mohd Noor, Mohd Firdaus Che Ani, Afiq Izzudin Abd Rahim, Abadi Sufaat Mohd Badri.

The conclusion from the meeting was to initially rebuild our silat spirit and motivation before officially opening our association to the rest of the RCSI students. We manage to gather 14 silat practitioners at the time, and started training and polishing the art of silat moves during the weekends in Eamonn Park, Sundrive Road. This was successfully done and brought back our strength to become a known and established martial arts association in Ireland, especially in bringing the name of RCSI to be part of our history in Ireland.

Picture 2: First Silat Seni Gayong training, 25^th March 2007 in Eamonn Park, Sundrive Road, Dublin. From left: Munirah Alias, Syuhada Ramli, Diana Abdul Rahman, Bakrynizam, Ahmad Fadhlil MP Razy, Mohd Firdaus Che Ani, Suhaili, Fairuza Feerhana, Rais Shaari, Idzatun Nasyiah Mustafa, Muhammad Zainulariffin Dzubir, Nor Hairunnisak Mahadun.

An official proposal was submitted through the RCSI Sports Co-ordinator on Monday, 23^rd April 2007, together with all the required including the budget forms, booking forms and a rough plan about our annual activity. The proposal was accepted there and then. We were then given the green light to proceed with our plan starting in the new academic year of 2007/2008.

The Association of Silat Seni Gayong Ireland’s first committee members were as follows:

Sports Captain: Mohd Firdaus Che Ani

Vice Captain 1: Faheem Khan

Vice Captain 2: Muhammad Zainulariffin Dzubir

Secretary: Diana Abdul Rahman

Treasurer: Nor Adilah Zarin

Our first accomplishment was during the RCSI Fresher’s Week. Association of Silat Seni Gayong Malaysia RCSI won the First place on the best booth during the fresher’s recruitment day. We really never expected to be the winner on our first attempt, but probably it’s the beginner’s luck. We were so thankful.

Picture 3: Association of Silat Seni Gayong Malaysia booth in the basketball court, during RCSI Fresher’s Week 2007. From Left: Muhammad Zainulariffin Dzubir, Faheem Khan, Diana Abd Rahman, Idzatun Nasyiah Mustafa, Mohd Firdaus Che Ani, and Nor Adilah Zarin.

The success then created an excellent reputation and motivated us to actively participate in college events and perform special demonstration upon invitation from inside and outside college.

Picture 4: The poster used in recruiting new members during the 2007/2008 academic session.

Our first training under RCSI was in Scoil Catherina, Dublin 2. We managed to attract a few non Malays to join and expand our membership to be among the highest turn-up for weekly training among all martial arts in RCSI.

Picture 5: The line-up of the Association of Silat Seni Gayong Malaysia-Ireland in RCSI. Out first training session under RCSI in memory on the 13^th October 2007

Picture 6: Master Shaiful Hakim demonstrating the art of buah & pentas keris.

Picture 7: During one of our training sessions.

The Association of Silat Seni Gayong Malaysia in RCSI was officially officiated by Mr Jamalullail, First Secretary of the Malaysian Civil Servant representative in Ireland on the 17^th November 2007 in the Exam Hall, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. During this ceremony, we received the special guests from Silat Seni Gayong Malaysia-France and Silat Seni Gayong Malaysia-UK, represented by Master Shaiful Hakim Mohd Noor and Master Mohd Hafiz Hashim respectively.

Picture 8: In memory of the Officiating Ceremony of the Association of Silat Seni Gayong Malaysia-Ireland in RCSI.

Picture 9: Our honourable guest of honour.

From left: Master Mohd Hafiz Hashim from Gayong Malaysia-UK, Master Shaiful Hakim Mohd Noor from Gayong Malaysia-France, Mr Jamalullail our first secretary of the Malaysian Civil Servant in Ireland, Brother Dawood from Gayong Malaysia-France.

Picture 10: Bunga Tanjung performance by our members, the traditional performance on welcoming special guests and during special cultural events.

Picture 11: Our guest of honour during the officiating ceremony.

Picture 12: Our line up after the officiating ceremony and demonstration together with new members and VVIPs.

Together with the official launching of Association of Silat Seni Gayong Malaysia-Ireland in RCSI, we also performed our traditional new members reception which was also done in the RCSI Exam Hall following the launching ceremony.

Picture 13: Muhammad Zainulariffin Dzubir and Master Shaiful Hakim during the Perlimau Seni for seniors as a sign of blessing from the silat trainers to their students.

Picture 14: The new members lining up to take their turns to perform the ceremony. The brotherhood of silat seni gayong.

Since our officiation under RCSI, our association have proudly represented RCSI in various functions, such as the Islamic Awareness Week in University College Dublin (UCD), International Cultural Night Trinity College Dublin (TCD), Malam Apreasisasi Seni Asosiasi Islam (MASAI) of the Malaysian Student Islamic Society in Ireland (PPIMI).

Picture 15: Our performing line-up during Islamic Awareness Week (IAW) invitational demonstration 2008. Astra Hall, University College Dublin (UCD).

Picture 16: Performance during Malam Aspirasi Seni Asosiasi Islam (MASAI) organized by the Malaysian Student Islamic Society (PPIMI), O’Flanagan Lecture Theatre, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.

Our biggest achievement was being invited to perform representing our country of origin, Malaysia bringing together the RCSI name to the International Paris Open Pencak Silat (IPO’08) in Paris. The performance was in conjunction with Gayong Malaysia-France.

Picture 17: Our line-up of performers for the International Paris Open (IPO) Pencak Silat Demonstration 2008. From left: Diana Abd Rahman, Fairuza Feerhana, Mohd Hafiz Hashim, Idzatun Nasyiah Mustafa, Mohd Firdaus Che Ani, Mohd Hariz Mohd Raziki, Mas Cecep (Indonesian Machete Champion), and Rais Shaari (Gayong Malaysia-UK).

Picture 18: Memorable snap shot with the Pencak Silat Competition Participants IPO’08.

Picture 19: A snapshot with Gayong Fattani France members during the IPO’08.

Picture 20: Gayong Malaysia-Ireland members under the spotlight during International Paris Open Pencak Silat Demonstration 2008.

Picture 21: Our memorable picture post performing during the International Paris Open (IPO) Pencak Silat 2008.

Picture 22: A sample of certificate of participation from one of our members who performed during the International Paris Open (IPO) Pencak SIlat 2008.

Our last activity before the end of 2007/2008 academic year was our grading ceremony on the in April 2008.

Picture 23: Gayong members during the grading session 2008. Arc Bishop Hall, Dublin 2.

Picture 24: Gayong members during the grading session 2008. Arc Bishop Hall, Dublin 2. From Left: Ammar Muizzuiddin Manas and Mohd Hafiz Hashim.

Picture 25: Gayong members during the grading session 2008. Arc Bishop Hall, Dublin 2. From left: Diana Abd Rahman and Norasyiqin Jamar.