Indonesian president says the traditional martial art still has a long road to Olympic inclusion

President Prabowo Subianto has renewed Indonesia’s ambition to bring pencak silat to the Olympic stage, while reminding supporters that preserving the sport’s authenticity remains just as important as gaining global recognition.

Prabowo Restates Olympic Ambition
President Prabowo Subianto has once again called for pencak silat to be included in the Olympic Games, saying he remains confident that the traditional martial art will eventually gain wider international recognition. He made the remarks during the opening of the 16th National Congress of the Indonesian Pencak Silat Association, or IPSI, on April 11.

He Admits the Road Is Still Long
Prabowo acknowledged that the effort to bring pencak silat into the Olympics remains a difficult and lengthy process. He said the journey is still long, but expressed optimism that the sport will one day reach the Olympic stage if promotion efforts continue consistently.

IPSI Leadership Transition Also Announced
At the same event, Prabowo, who also serves as IPSI chairman, said he would not seek re-election to lead the organization. He also apologized for not being able to secure Olympic inclusion for pencak silat during his time in charge, and said he hopes his successor will be able to continue the mission more successfully.

Preservation Remains the Bigger Priority
Even as he pushed for broader international exposure, Prabowo warned that Olympic ambition should not become the only focus. He stressed that IPSI and the wider pencak silat community must continue protecting the purity, quality, and original values of the martial art rather than sacrificing them for global visibility.

More Than a Sports Goal
His remarks reflect a broader view of pencak silat as both a sport and a cultural legacy. For Indonesia, the effort is not only about medal opportunities, but also about introducing a national tradition to a wider global audience while ensuring its identity remains intact.

Prabowo’s renewed support shows that Indonesia is still serious about elevating pencak silat onto the world’s biggest sporting platform. For Indonesians, the issue carries both cultural pride and sporting ambition. For Singaporeans and others in the region, it also highlights how Southeast Asian traditional sports are increasingly being promoted as part of a wider international sporting conversation.

Sources: The Star (2026) , Tempo (2026)

Keywords: Prabowo Subianto, Pencak Silat, Olympic Inclusion, IPSI, Indonesian Martial Art, Global Recognition, Sports Diplomacy