Prabowo Subianto Seeks IOC Nod for Pencak Silat

TheIndonesia.co - President of the International Pencak Silat Federation (IPSF), Prabowo Subianto, aspires to see pencak silat included as an Olympic sport.

This was conveyed by Chairman of the Indonesian National Olympic Committee (NOC), Raja Sapta Oktohari, after accompanying Prabowo to a meeting with International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach in Paris on Saturday.

According to Oktohari, Prabowo's attendance at the pencak silat exhibition at Pullman Paris Montparnasse further demonstrated his commitment to making the martial art an Olympic sport.

"'We hope that pencak silat, as Indonesian heritage and pride, can be introduced to the world," Oktohari said, as quoted by Antara.

President of the Alliance of Independent Recognized Member of Sports (AIMS), Stephan Fox, along with representatives of national pencak silat federations from several countries, also attended the exhibition.

Oktohari reported that the AIMS President has pledged his support to assist Indonesia in gaining recognition for pencak silat and integrating it into the Olympic events, including the Youth Olympics and the Summer Olympics.

To achieve this goal, NOC Indonesia, the Indonesian Pencak Silat Federation, and IPSF will establish a task force to ensure pencak silat meets the requirements set forth by AIMS and the IOC.

Pencak silat has already fulfilled several criteria for IOC recognition. Over 80 countries have established their own national pencak silat federations, and the World Pencak Silat Championship has been held more than 20 times.

Oktohari highlighted pencak silat's status as a UNESCO heritage, further strengthening its case for inclusion as an Olympic sport.

"There are many conditions that must be met, one of which is adhering to the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) Code," he said.

He mentioned Indonesia's aspirations to host the 2030 Youth Olympics and the 2036 Olympics.

"If Indonesia is awarded these opportunities, pencak silat could potentially be included as a contested sport," he said.