It will be a unique opening (ceremony).
Badung, Bali (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI) attempts to include pencak silat as one of the contested sports at the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) World Beach Games Bali 2023, scheduled on August 5-12, 2023.

"It (the plan to include pencak silat at the tournament) is still being negotiated," Chairperson of the KOI Raja Sapta Oktohari stated at the 1st Technical Delegate Meeting of the ANOC World Beach Games Bali 2023 here on Sunday.

Oktohari noted that a sport can be competed in the World Beach Games if it is actively practiced in the five continents around the world.

An international governing body called the International Pencak Silat Federation (IPSF), recognized by the Olympic Council of Asia, for the sport had already been established. According to the organization's official site, the IPSF currently has 87 members from all over Asia, Europe, North and South America, Africa, as well as Oceania.

Pencak silat is one of the Indonesian martial arts. It has been recognized as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity from Indonesia by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Meanwhile, to date, it is confirmed that a total of 14 sports will be competed at the ANOC World Beach Games Bali 2023, comprising 10 mandatory and four additional sports.

The mandatory sports are aquathlon, beach handball, beach soccer, beach tennis, 4×4 beach volley, beach waterpolo, beach wrestling, karate (individual kata event), kiteboarding (expression discipline), and open water swimming (5-kilometer swimming event).

Furthermore, the additional sports include 3x3 basketball, air badminton, rowing, and surfing.

In addition, Indonesia will host the ANOC General Assembly on August 13-15, 2023.

On the same occasion, Coordinator for Games Operation at the ANOC World Beach Games Bali 2023 Richard Sambera said that 1,554 athletes from 100 countries will participate in the tournament.

"We have surveyed a number of places so far. There are several locations that have great potentials (to become the venue for the matches), including Kuta, Jimbaran, and Nusa Dua areas," he stated.

Nonetheless, the organizers, KOI and ANOC, have not determined which location will be used for the matches.

However, they have determined the Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) Cultural Park as the location for the opening ceremony of the competition.

The organizers will present traditional arts performances from Bali and other regions in Indonesia as well as modern performances at the opening ceremony.

“GWK is a very iconic place in Bali. It will be a unique opening (ceremony)," Sambera added.

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Translator: Genta Mawangi, Uyu Liman
Editor: Sri Haryati
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