"Today, we gather with players from various regions in Indonesia, such as from Aceh, Bengkulu, Jambi, Balikpapan, and East Java, at the Menpora Fighter Kite Championship," Chairman of the Indonesian Fighter Kite Association (PERLASI) Essa Muhammad stated here on Friday.
At the opening of the championship in Cilincing, North Jakarta, he expected that the event can help preserve the culture and promote fighter kites among the communities.
He also expressed hope that fighter kite can become a sport that is recognized by the National Sports Committee of Indonesia (KONI).
According to Muhammad, this activity, held on August 18-20, 2023, is the second national championship organized by PERLASI.
In 2022, the fighter kite championship participants competed for the Jakarta Governor's Cup, and this year, they are competing for the Youth and Sports Minister (Menpora) Cup.
This time, the championship will use a knockout system. In addition to the Menpora Cup, winners can clinch prizes totaling tens of millions of rupiah.
The championship is being held at the Rorotan Square, Cilincing, North Jakarta. It was selected as the venue owing to its strategic location near the sea.
Indonesian fighter kite figure Lie Fie Kiat, who delivered a series of achievements at several world championships, participated in the opening of the 2023 Menpora Cup Fighter Kite Championship.
His achievements, include the World Kite Championship in Dieppe, France, in 1998 and the International Kite Championship in Saclay, France, in 1998 and was also an honorary participant at the European Kite Championship in Pyneneens, France, in 2000.
"A national championship like this must exist, so that fighter kite players in Indonesia can be seen more," Lie affirmed.
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Translator: Arnidhya Z, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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