DELI SERDANG | INDATANEWS.COM - The Deli Serdang Regency Government is committed to preserving traditional games as part of efforts to introduce local culture to the younger generation while encouraging children to reduce their dependence on digital devices. The government is also considering making traditional games a permanent part of Deli Serdang's cultural agenda.
Deli Serdang Regent
Asri Ludin Tambunan expressed his support for the initiative during his visit to the Traditional Games Cultural Week, organized by the Laskar Pelangi
Tanjung Rejo Foundation at the town square of Percut Sei Tuan District in Saentis Village on Saturday, August 8, 2026.
The two-day event, held from August 8 to 9, 2026, featured a variety of traditional games involving children and members of the community. Activities included tug-of-war, group races using wooden clogs, Pecah Piring, and various other traditional games.
Asri Ludin praised the enthusiasm of the children and community members who took part in the activities with great excitement despite the relatively hot weather. He said the strong participation demonstrated that
traditional games still have an important place in the community.
"The scorching midday sun apparently could not dampen the joy of our children. I am also very proud that the children of Tanjung Rejo were able to organize and carry out such a large traditional games event themselves," Asri Ludin said.
Traditional Games Targeted as Annual Cultural Agenda
Asri Ludin said the strong enthusiasm shown by the community and children during the Cultural Week could serve as an important foundation for the Deli Serdang Regency Government to further develop the event. He expressed hope that traditional games would not remain a one-time or merely ceremonial activity, but could become a regularly held cultural agenda.
"If the enthusiasm remains this high, we will consider this and include it in the APBD regional budget. I want to ask all of you to instill pride in
Deli Serdang among our children and encourage them to take part in positive activities. I hope this event can eventually become an icon of
Deli Serdang, with traditional game competitions held every year," he said.
Asri Ludin, who attended the event alongside the Chairwoman of the Deli Serdang TP PKK, Jelita Asri Ludin Tambunan, also called on the public to continue preserving traditional games amid rapid technological development. In his view, technological progress should not cause the younger generation to abandon their own culture and the games that originated within their communities.
"Hopefully, the culture of our country can continue to play a central role in our lives, even as technological influences from outside continue to grow," he added.
He also highlighted the continued development of the town square in Percut Sei Tuan District, which can provide residents with space for a range of positive activities. In addition to serving as a place for people to meet and interact, the public space can be used for cultural events, sports, children's creative activities, and various other community activities.
According to Asri Ludin, using public spaces for
traditional games can also strengthen social interaction among children. Through these activities, children gain more than entertainment. They also learn to work together, compete fairly, follow rules, and reconnect with the culture that has developed within their own communities.
A CONTRIBUTION TO CULTURAL PRESERVATION: First Cultural Affairs Officer of BPK Region II North Sumatra, Windra Adi Purba, described the Traditional Games Cultural Week as an important cultural preservation initiative aimed at safeguarding traditional games amid social change. (PHOTO: Edi Saputra)
BPK Region II North Sumatra Supports Initiative
The Traditional Games Cultural Week also received support from the BPK Region II North Sumatra Cultural Preservation Office through the Dana Indonesiana program. The support is part of efforts to strengthen activities aimed at preserving cultural heritage, particularly traditional games that are increasingly under pressure as society changes and children's play habits evolve.
First Cultural Affairs Officer of BPK Region II North Sumatra, Windra Adi Purba, said the event represented a concrete example of preserving cultural heritage through
traditional games.
"This is one of the activities aimed at preserving cultural heritage, particularly in the field of traditional games. As times change, culture is increasingly being pushed aside, especially traditional games that are gradually being forgotten," he said.
Windra explained that the Laskar Pelangi Foundation, as a recipient of funding from the
Dana Indonesiana program, had been entrusted with developing
traditional games. He said the support was expected to create broader opportunities for the community to further develop various cultural potentials in the region.
He noted that Deli Serdang possesses significant cultural wealth and continues to have numerous opportunities for further development. One indicator is the existence of 168 cultural heritage sites spread across the regency.
According to Windra, this situation demonstrates that cultural preservation cannot be the sole responsibility of the government. The community, cultural groups, foundations, younger generations, and various other stakeholders must also share responsibility to ensure that local culture remains alive and can be introduced to future generations.
Traditional games are an important part of these efforts. Beyond their cultural value, they can also serve as a means of building children's character, as many traditional games encourage teamwork, fairness, dexterity, discipline, and the ability to interact directly with others.
PLANNED AS AN ANNUAL EVENT: Chairman of the Laskar Pelangi
Tanjung Rejo Foundation, Siddik Zailani, thanked the
Deli Serdang Regency Government for its support of the Traditional Games Cultural Week. The event is held annually to preserve
traditional games and encourage children to reduce their use of digital devices. (PHOTO: Edi Saputra)
Traditional Games Encourage Children to Spend Less Time on Smartphones
Chairman of the Laskar Pelangi
Tanjung Rejo Foundation, Siddik Zailani, expressed his gratitude to the
Deli Serdang Regency Government for its support in organizing the Traditional Games Cultural Week.
According to Siddik, the event is an annual activity organized by the Laskar Pelangi Foundation. It aims to preserve traditional games while encouraging children to reduce their use of digital devices.
Children's participation in various
traditional games is an important part of the event's objectives. The Laskar Pelangi Foundation seeks to reintroduce games that were once part of everyday community life to a generation that is increasingly familiar with digital devices.
Games such as tug-of-war, group races using wooden clogs, and Pecah Piring provide children with more than entertainment. They also encourage children to be physically active, interact, communicate, and cooperate with their peers.
Siddik also expressed his appreciation to all participants for taking part in the Traditional Games Cultural Week. At the same time, he asked for understanding and apologized for any shortcomings that may have occurred during the event.
The two-day event provided residents of Tanjung Rejo and surrounding areas with an opportunity to bring traditional games back into public spaces. The enthusiasm of the participants also demonstrated that traditional games can continue to attract children's attention when society provides them with appropriate spaces and opportunities to play.
The
Deli Serdang Regency Government hopes that similar events can continue to be developed and made accessible to a wider segment of the community. With consistent implementation and a positive response,
traditional games are expected to serve not only as entertainment but also as part of
Deli Serdang's cultural identity.
With the support of the government, cultural communities, and the public, traditional games can become an important means of introducing the region's cultural richness to the younger generation. At the same time, such activities can provide children with an alternative to digital devices by placing greater emphasis on social interaction and physical activity.
The event was also attended by the Secretary of the
Deli Serdang Regency Government and representatives of various government agencies, district and village administrations, community members, and participants in the Traditional Games Cultural Week.
(IDNC)REPORTER: Edi Saputra | EDITOR: Fik Sagala