Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia emerged as the overall champion of the 20th World Pencak Silat Championship and the 5th Junior World Pencak Silat Championship in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The championship was held from December 18 to 22. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Minister of Youth and Sports Dito Ariotedjo acknowledged the victory and expressed his intention to get the sport included in the Olympics in the future.
He expressed hope that the championship, in which athletes from 57 countries competed, would serve as sufficient proof that pencak silat is popular in many countries.
"There were around 1,100 participants from 57 countries, which is proof of pencak silat's potential to become a global sport," the minister said.
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Indonesia sent 170 athletes to showcase the country's pencak silat potential and promote the sport at the championship. According to Ariotedjo, the most important thing is to spread the spirit and values of pencak silat to all participating countries, as well as strengthen the friendship between nations.
He expressed the hope that pencak silat will be recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) so that it can be included in the Olympics in the future. He said that Indonesia's participation in the event was part of cooperation with the UAE Ministry of Sports.
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The cooperation is a symbol of Indonesia and the UAE's friendship and proof of the UAE's commitment to supporting pencak silat so that it can become known worldwide, he said.
In the 20th World Pencak Silat Championship, Indonesia won 11 gold, seven silver, and five bronze medals. In the 5th Junior World Pencak Silat Championship, Indonesia secured 11 gold, three silver, and two bronze medals.
