Minister of Youth and Sports, Dito Ariotedjo, recently showcased pencak silat as a cultural gem of Indonesia during the global sports initiative event ‘Securing the Legacy: Debriefing from Paris 2024 for Future Major Sporting Events Marking’ held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. He emphasized how pencak silat embodies values of discipline, resilience, and peace, transcending the realm of martial arts. Acknowledged by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, pencak silat not only teaches self-defense but also promotes harmony and peace among practitioners.
Minister Dito underlined Indonesia’s commitment to elevating pencak silat as a symbol of global resilience, with aspirations to introduce it on an international platform such as the Olympics. He believes that sports, including pencak silat, mirror principles of security resilience and can play a pivotal role in nation-building, fostering social cohesion, and resolving conflicts. With Indonesia’s support for the UN Office for Combating Terrorism’s Global Sports Programme, the country aims to empower youth and enhance resilience through a blend of traditional and modern sports.
The event also shed light on insights from the 2024 Paris Olympics, stressing the significance of robust security infrastructure and preparedness for hosting major sporting events. Minister Dito emphasized the necessity of innovative security frameworks, intelligence sharing, and global partnerships to effectively address security challenges. Indonesia is poised to bolster public-private collaborations, elevate sports safety standards, and promote international cooperation in combatting violent extremism through sports initiatives.
In line with President Prabowo Subianto’s vision to introduce pencak silat into the Olympics, Minister Dito rallied for support from various stakeholders. The emphasis was on safeguarding pencak silat as Indonesia’s cultural heritage and propelling efforts for its possible inclusion in the Olympics. These endeavors resonate with Indonesia’s dedication to fostering peace and unity through sports collaborations. By promoting sports as a beacon of peace and resilience, Indonesia aims to contribute to creating a secure and inclusive global sporting environment.