Indonesia's Pencak Silat Association Supports Long-Term Athlete Development

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Chairman of the Executive Board of the Indonesian Pencak Silat Association (PB IPSI), Sugiono, has expressed support for President Prabowo Subianto's commitment to implementing a multi-year, long-term national training camp (Pelatnas) program for Indonesian athletes as part of efforts to strengthen the country's sporting achievements.

In a statement received in Jakarta on Friday, Sugiono said the policy reflects the government's serious commitment to building a more structured, consistent, and sustainable athlete development system. "PB IPSI welcomes and fully supports President Prabowo Subianto's commitment to strengthening national sports development through a sustainable and long-term national training program," he said.

According to him, the multi-year national training program will provide greater certainty for athlete development while strengthening Indonesia's sports ecosystem from the regional to the national level. He emphasized that sustained athlete development is the key foundation for producing high-achieving athletes, particularly in Pencak Silat.

Sugiono also expressed hope that President Prabowo's commitment to advancing Indonesian sports would further strengthen efforts to internationalize pencak silat, creating greater opportunities for the martial art to be featured in major international sporting events, including the Olympic Games.

He noted that, in addition to strengthening athlete development, strategic measures are needed to expand pencak silat's global presence. He stressed that pencak silat is not only a competitive sport but also an Indonesian cultural heritage that has gained increasing international recognition.

Therefore, he said, strong collaboration among the government, PB IPSI, coaches, athletes, academics, the Indonesian diaspora, and pencak silat communities both at home and abroad will be essential to promoting the sport on the global stage.

"PB IPSI is ready to work closely with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the government, and all stakeholders in the national sports community to support the establishment of a sustainable athlete development system for the advancement of pencak silat globally and Indonesia's future sporting achievements," Sugiono said.