MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - Medan Mayor, Rico Waas, officially opened the Open Tournament of Pencak Silat organized by the Indonesian Pencak Silat Association (IPSI) of Medan City in 2026. The event took place on Friday evening at GOR Kebun Bunga and is regarded as a prestigious competition bringing together hundreds of young martial artists from Medan and surrounding areas.
Initiated by IPSI Kota Medan, the tournament combines sporting competition with cultural preservation. A total of around 674 athletes from 58 contingents are participating, competing over three days to deliver their best performances in Indonesia's traditional martial art discipline.
Silat as a National IdentityIn his opening remarks, Rico Waas emphasized that Pencak Silat is far more than just a sport. It represents an essential part of Indonesia's national identity and cultural heritage, which must be preserved, particularly by the younger generation.
"Silat is part of our culture that must be preserved and protected. It is an authentic Indonesian sport. We are proud of all of you who continue to uphold this tradition,"
Rico Waas said, visibly proud in front of athletes and guests.
He also praised the strong participation of young athletes, noting that their enthusiasm reflects how deeply local culture remains rooted in public awareness.
Platform for Young TalentsThe mayor further stated that the tournament is not only a sporting competition but also a source of inspiration for the community to value and appreciate local culture more deeply. According to him, such events should be held consistently to strengthen regional cultural identity.
"This tournament is expected to serve as an inspiration for the wider community to value and love local culture more," Rico Waas explained.
The Medan City Government also continues to promote Pencak Silat as a means of character building for young people, particularly in fostering discipline, sportsmanship, and cultural awareness.
Strengthening Sports Achievement and CultureBeyond its cultural significance, the city also hopes the tournament will produce talented athletes capable of representing Medan at provincial and national levels. Successful participants are expected to continue their athletic careers in higher-level competitions, including the North Sumatra Provincial Sports Week.
"We hope the winners will later compete in the North Sumatra Provincial Games and bring home first place for Medan," the mayor said.
With this event, the City of Medan remains optimistic that the regeneration of Pencak Silat athletes will continue to develop, leading to future sporting achievements.
The opening ceremony was held in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
Rico Waas interacted directly with the young athletes and posed simple questions as part of a light challenge. As a special gesture, he also promised one active participant an additional set of Silat uniforms as a prize, further boosting excitement inside the venue.
The event was also attended by the Head of the Youth and Sports Office of Medan City, Tengku Chairuniza, the Chairperson of IPSI Kota Medan, Haris Muda Siregar, and the Chairperson of KONI Kota Medan, Aswindy Fachrizal, all of whom expressed their full support for the tournament. (IDNC)
REPORTER:
Teguh Panjaitan | EDITOR:
Fik Sagala