An exhibition of Pencak Silat titled “Road to Olympic Exhibition” was held at the Pullman Paris Montparnasse, captivating an audience that included top members of the Olympic Committee. This event was part of a concerted effort by the Indonesian Olympic Committee, led by Raja Sapta Oktohari, to promote Pencak Silat, an amazing Indonesian martial art, as a potential Olympic sport. The exhibition was attended by key figures such as Prabowo Subianto, President of the International Pencak Silat Federation, Dito Ariotedjo, the Indonesian Minister of Youth and Sports, Erick Thohir, an IOC member from Indonesia, and Anindya Bakrie, the Chef de Mission for the Indonesian team.
In their bid to have Pencak Silat recognized as an Olympic sport, the Indonesian delegation held crucial meetings with Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee. They highlighted Pencak Silat’s cultural significance and competitive potential. Following these discussions, the exhibition provided a global platform to showcase Pencak Silat, with the presence of Stephan Fox, President of AIMS, and representatives from various national Pencak Silat federations, further reinforcing the sport’s international appeal and readiness for Olympic inclusion. Prabowo’s presence underscored the substantial steps being taken to introduce Pencak Silat to the world stage.
In pursuit of their Olympic aspirations, NOC Indonesia, along with the Indonesian Pencak Silat Association Executive Board and Persilat, are planning to set up a task force to ensure Pencak Silat meets the requirements set by the Alliance of Independent Recognised Members of Sport (AIMS) and the IOC. Already recognized by UNESCO and boasting federations in over 80 countries, Pencak Silat aims to align with the World Anti-Doping Agency’s standards and other IOC criteria. This initiative aligns with Indonesia’s broader ambitions to host future Olympic events, including the 2030 Youth Olympics and the 2036 Olympics, potentially featuring Pencak Silat as a competitive event.
