Minister of Youth and Sports, Dito Ariotedjo, leveraged the global sports initiative event at the United Nations Headquarters in New York to showcase pencak silat as a significant cultural heritage of Indonesia. Beyond just a form of martial arts, pencak silat embodies values of discipline, resilience, and peace. Recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, pencak silat instills in its practitioners the skills to defend and protect, while promoting harmony and peace.
During the event, Minister Dito reiterated Indonesia’s commitment to promoting pencak silat as a symbol of global resilience and cultural identity, aiming for its broader recognition on the international stage, possibly at the Olympics. He emphasized that sports, such as pencak silat, are powerful mediums for building national unity, fostering social cohesion, and resolving conflicts. Indonesia’s participation in the UN Office for Combating Terrorism’s Global Sports Programme further underscores its dedication to utilizing both traditional and modern sports to empower youth and enhance resilience.
Lessons learned from the 2024 Paris Olympics were discussed, highlighting the importance of robust security infrastructure and preparedness for major sporting events. Minister Dito emphasized the necessity of innovative security frameworks, intelligence-sharing mechanisms, and global collaborations to effectively address security challenges. Indonesia is committed to enhancing public-private partnerships, elevating sports safety standards, and fostering international cooperation to combat violent extremism through sports initiatives.
President Prabowo Subianto’s vision to introduce pencak silat to the Olympics was mentioned, rallying support from all stakeholders. The President stressed the significance of preserving pencak silat as an integral part of Indonesia’s cultural heritage and striving for its inclusion in the Olympics. These efforts align with Indonesia’s overarching goal of promoting collaboration for peace and unity through sports. The country’s dedication to sports as a beacon of peace and resilience echoes a shared aspiration for creating a secure and inclusive global sporting environment.