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, Minister of Youth and Sports, Dito Ariotedjo, shone a spotlight on pencak silat as a significant cultural heritage of Indonesia. Pencak silat transcends martial arts, embodying values such as discipline, resilience, and peace. Recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, the practice of pencak silat instills in its practitioners the skills to defend and protect, while also promoting harmony and peace.
Minister Dito underlined Indonesia’s commitment to showcasing pencak silat as a symbol of global resilience and its efforts to raise international awareness, including advocating for its inclusion in the Olympics. He believes that sports, particularly disciplines like pencak silat, embody principles of security resilience and can play a key role in nation-building, fostering social cohesion, and resolving conflicts. By participating in the UN Office for Combating Terrorism’s Global Sports Programme, Indonesia pledges to leverage both traditional and modern sports in empowering youth and enhancing resilience.
The lessons learned from the 2024 Paris Olympics were a focal point, stressing the necessity of robust security infrastructure and preparedness for major sporting events. Minister Dito emphasized the importance of innovative security frameworks, intelligence cooperation, and global partnerships in effectively addressing security challenges. Indonesia aims to bolster public-private collaborations, elevate sports safety standards, and promote international cooperation in combating violent extremism through sports.
President Prabowo Subianto’s vision to introduce pencak silat into the Olympics was highlighted, calling for support from all stakeholders. He underscored the significance of preserving pencak silat as a cornerstone of Indonesia’s cultural heritage and striving for its inclusion in the Olympic Games. The push to promote pencak silat aligns with Indonesia’s dedication to nurturing peace and unity through sports. The country’s commitment to using sports as a medium of peace and resilience reflects a common goal of fostering a secure and inclusive sporting environment on a global scale.
