President Prabowo Opens 16th National Assembly of IPSI, Encourages Pencak Silat for Olympic Inclusion
President Prabowo attends the 16th National Assembly of the Indonesian Pencak Silat Association (IPSI) for the 2026-2030 term of service at Jakarta International Convention Center (JICC), Jakarta, on Saturday (04/11).
President Prabowo Subianto officially opened the 16th National Assembly of the Indonesian Pencak Silat Association (IPSI) for the 2026-2030 term of service. The event was held at Cendrawasih Hall, Jakarta International Convention Center (JICC) in Jakarta on Saturday (04/11).
Carrying the theme “Pencak Silat Goes Global: The Road to the Olympic,” the assembly served as a strategic momentum to strengthen the role of pencak silat as a national cultural heritage as well as a sport that is gaining increasing international recognition.
The opening ceremony commenced solemnly with the singing of the national anthem Indonesia Raya, followed by Mars Patriot and hymn of the IPSI. The ceremony continued with a joint prayer led by K.H. Buya Harun Zein.
Following the prayer, Chairperson of the Organizing Committee of the 16th IPSI National Assembly Benny Sumarsono delivered a report on the implementation of the event, which was attended by IPSI officials and representatives from across Indonesia.
On the occasion, the President delivered his remarks and officially opened the 16th Assembly of IPSI by striking a gong, symbolizing the commencement of the event. It also marked the start of the organization’s key agenda in determining policy direction and the organizational structure of IPSI for the 2026-2030 term.
In his remarks, the President underscored the importance of preserving and promoting pencak silat. He emphasized that pencak silat constitutes an integral part of the nation’s culture, more than just a sport or a form of martial art.
“Why must we preserve pencak silat? Why must we sustain and develop it? Because pencak silat is part of our culture. It is part of our heritage and embodies the values of chivalry.” the President stated.
The 16th IPSI National Assembly is expected to result in strategic decisions that will strengthen the development of pencak silat domestically, while simultaneously advancing concrete efforts toward its recognition as an Olympic sport.
In addition to strategic agendas, the assembly will also discuss the election of the General Chairman of IPSI Executive Board (PB IPSI) for the upcoming period. According to PB IPSI, the nomination and screening processes have been underway for over a month, with several candidates proposed by provincial boards and affiliated schools.
Accompanying President at the event were Minister of Youth and Sports Erick Thohir, Minister of Foreign Affairs who also serves as the Vice General Chairman of IPSI Sugiono, and Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi.
The 16th IPSI National Assembly was expected to be a significant milestone in bringing pencak silat further onto the global stage, not only as a high-performance sport but also as a symbol of Indonesia’s cultural strength recognized internationally. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (YA/MMB)
