Minister of Youth and Sports, Dito Ariotedjo, seized the opportunity during the global sports initiative event ‘Securing the Legacy: Debriefing from Paris 2024 for Future Major Sporting Events Marking’ at the United Nations Headquarters in New York to showcase pencak silat as a vital cultural heritage of Indonesia. He accentuated the essence of pencak silat transcending mere martial arts, embodying values such as discipline, resilience, and peace. Acknowledged by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, pencak silat imparts teachings on defense and protection while promoting harmony and peace among its practitioners.
Minister Dito underscored Indonesia’s viewpoint on pencak silat as a symbol of global resilience and its endeavors to bolster its international recognition, including as a prospective inclusion in the Olympics. He stressed the notion that sports, exemplified by pencak silat, encapsulate the principles of security resilience, which can contribute significantly to nation-building, societal cohesion, and conflict resolution. Indonesia’s commitment to the UN Office for Combating Terrorism’s Global Sports Programme showcases its dedication to leveraging both traditional and modern sports to empower youth and enhance resilience.
Lessons learned from the 2024 Paris Olympics were also highlighted, emphasizing the paramount importance of robust security infrastructure and preparedness for major sporting events. Minister Dito emphasized the necessity for innovative security frameworks, intelligence sharing, and global partnerships to effectively manage security challenges. Indonesia aims to fortify public-private partnerships, elevate sports safety standards, and foster international cooperation in countering violent extremism through sports initiatives.
President Prabowo Subianto’s aspiration to introduce pencak silat to the Olympics was discussed, appealing for support from all stakeholders towards this goal. He underlined the significance of preserving pencak silat as Indonesia’s cultural legacy and striving for its recognition in the Olympic arena. The advocacy for pencak silat aligns with Indonesia’s pledge to cultivate collaboration for peace and unity through sports. The country’s commitment to promoting sports as a symbol of peace and resilience mirrors a collective endeavor to ensure a secure and inclusive global sporting environment.
