President Prabowo Advocates for Recognition of Pencak Silat in Egypt and Beyond
Cairo, The Gulf Observer: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has expressed his hope that Egypt will officially recognize Pencak Silat, Indonesia’s traditional martial art, as a national sport. Speaking at a press conference following his meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in Cairo, President Prabowo emphasized the importance of cultural collaboration between the two nations.
“In the field of cultural cooperation, we want to advance Pencak Silat,” President Prabowo stated, noting that approximately 4,000 Egyptian youths are currently learning the martial art.
Pencak Silat was among the key topics discussed during the leaders’ meeting, which also covered economic ties, defense cooperation, religious moderation, and their shared commitment to supporting Palestine’s independence.
As one of Indonesia’s oldest martial arts, Pencak Silat has gained significant international attention. It was contested at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, where 166 athletes from 16 countries participated. Indonesia dominated the competition, securing 14 gold medals and one bronze.
Despite its growing popularity, Pencak Silat has yet to be included in the Olympic Games. However, during the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, President Prabowo, who also serves as the president of the International Pencak Silat Federation (Persilat), introduced the martial art to international sports communities at a special exhibition. During his visit to Paris, he personally conveyed his aspiration for Pencak Silat to be recognized as an Olympic sport to Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee.
Currently, the global appeal of Pencak Silat is on display at the World Pencak Silat Championship in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, where 1,100 participants from 55 countries are competing.
President Prabowo’s efforts to promote Pencak Silat reflect Indonesia’s dedication to preserving and sharing its rich cultural heritage while striving for greater international recognition of the martial art.
