During the global sports initiative event ‘Securing the Legacy: Debriefing from Paris 2024 for Future Major Sporting Events’ at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, Minister of Youth and Sports, Dito Ariotedjo, took the opportunity to showcase pencak silat as a significant cultural heritage of Indonesia. He emphasized that pencak silat transcends martial arts, embodying values 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.
Minister Dito underlined Indonesia’s commitment to raising awareness of pencak silat globally, including its potential inclusion in the Olympics. He believes that sports, like pencak silat, can embody principles of security resilience and contribute to nation-building, social cohesion, and conflict resolution. Indonesia is actively involved in the UN Office for Combating Terrorism’s Global Sports Programme, utilizing traditional and modern sports to empower youth and enhance resilience.
The importance of strong security infrastructure and preparedness for major sporting events was highlighted by the lessons learned from the 2024 Paris Olympics. Minister Dito stressed the necessity for innovative security frameworks, intelligence sharing, and global partnerships to effectively manage security challenges. Indonesia is focused on strengthening public-private partnerships, improving sports safety standards, and fostering international cooperation to combat violent extremism through sports.
President Prabowo Subianto’s vision to bring pencak silat to the Olympics was discussed, with a call for support from all stakeholders. Preserving pencak silat as Indonesia’s cultural heritage and advocating for its inclusion in the Olympics are paramount. These efforts align with Indonesia’s commitment to promoting collaboration for peace and unity through sports. Indonesia’s dedication to using sports as a symbol of peace and resilience reflects a shared goal of creating a safe and inclusive sporting environment worldwide.
