President Prabowo, who is also chairperson of the Indonesian Pencak Silat Association (IPSI), is committed to promoting Pencak silat to the world so that it can be contested at the Olympics, Ariotedjo added here on Wednesday.
"I accompanied Mr. Prabowo to the Paris Olympics in August, where we met with the chairman of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)," the minister said while opening the 2024 Merpati Putih Pencak Silat National Championship at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah Park.
During the meeting with the IOC chairperson, Prabowo discussed efforts to get Pencak silat recognized at the Olympics.
As a result of the meeting, several Pencak Silat European and world tournament agendas will be held soon, Ariotedjo revealed.
For instance, a Pencak silat championship will be held in the Netherlands on November 23, 2024, and a world-level event is scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi on December 14.
"There is a lot of enthusiasm in the world related to Pencak silat," he noted.
The 2024 Merpati Putih Pencak Silat National Championship is being held for the first time after a gap of six years. This year is its seventh edition.
Participants at the championship belong to various age groups, and include children, teenagers, adults, and seniors.
At the 2024 Merpati Putih Pencak Silat National Championship, athletes are competing in four categories: match, movement, stamina, and vibravision or breathing.
"More than 1,030 participants are competing in four categories in this competition," Mohamad Hasan, chairperson of the Pencak Silat Merpati Putih Academy, said.
Meanwhile, Minister Ariotedjo invited all Pencak silat athletes to strive to improve themselves to compete in international-level tournaments.
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Translator: Aditya R, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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