Minister of Youth and Sports, Dito Ariotedjo, showcased pencak silat as a cultural treasure of Indonesia 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. He emphasized that pencak silat embodies values beyond martial arts, such as discipline, resilience, and peace. Recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, pencak silat not only teaches self-defense but also promotes harmony and peace among its practitioners.
Minister Dito expressed Indonesia’s aim to raise international awareness of pencak silat as a symbol of global resilience, with hopes of it being included in the Olympics. He believes that sports like pencak silat can contribute to nation-building, social unity, and conflict resolution, reflecting principles of security resilience. Indonesia’s support for the UN Office for Combating Terrorism’s Global Sports Programme underscores its commitment to using traditional and modern sports to empower youth and enhance resilience.
The event also highlighted key takeaways from the 2024 Paris Olympics, emphasizing the importance of robust security measures and preparedness for major sporting events. Minister Dito emphasized the necessity of innovative security frameworks, intelligence sharing, and global partnerships to effectively address security challenges. Indonesia is dedicated to strengthening public-private collaborations, improving sports safety standards, and promoting international cooperation to combat violent extremism through sports.
President Prabowo Subianto’s vision to introduce pencak silat to the Olympics was highlighted, with a call for support from all stakeholders. He stressed the importance of preserving pencak silat as Indonesia’s cultural heritage and striving for its inclusion in the Olympics. Indonesia’s efforts to promote pencak silat align with its commitment to enhancing peace and unity through sports. The country’s dedication to sports as a symbol of peace and resilience reflects a collective goal of creating a secure and inclusive sports environment globally.
