Prabowo Seeks IOC Approval for Pencak Silat Inclusion in Olympics

Paris, The Gulf Observer: The President of the International Pencak Silat Federation (IPSF), Prabowo Subianto, has expressed a strong aspiration to see pencak silat included as an Olympic sport. This ambition was shared by the Chairman of the Indonesian National Olympic Committee (NOC), Raja Sapta Oktohari, following a meeting with International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach in Paris on Saturday.

Oktohari highlighted Prabowo’s dedication to this goal, evidenced by his attendance at a pencak silat exhibition held at Pullman Paris Montparnasse. “We hope that pencak silat, as Indonesian heritage and pride, can be introduced to the world,” Oktohari stated.

The exhibition also saw the presence of Stephan Fox, President of the Alliance of Independent Recognized Member of Sports (AIMS), along with representatives from various national pencak silat federations. Fox has committed to supporting Indonesia in securing recognition for pencak silat and integrating it into the Olympic program, including the Youth Olympics and the Summer Olympics.

To further this objective, NOC Indonesia, the Indonesian Pencak Silat Federation, and IPSF plan to establish a task force dedicated to ensuring pencak silat meets the criteria set by AIMS and the IOC.

Pencak silat has already met several IOC recognition benchmarks, with over 80 countries having established national federations, and the World Pencak Silat Championship being held more than 20 times. Oktohari also emphasized the sport’s status as a UNESCO heritage, bolstering its case for Olympic inclusion.

“There are many conditions that must be met, one of which is adhering to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) Code,” Oktohari noted.

He also 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.