In a major step forward for the global development of Pencak Silat, the International Pencak Silat Federation (IPSF-PERSILAT), in partnership with the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Indonesia, has concluded its flagship “Pencak Silat Road to the Olympic Games” initiative for 2025.
Spanning from September 18 to December 31, 2025, the program marked a strategic expansion of Indonesia’s cultural and sporting influence by deploying 15 Certified International Pencak Silat Coaches to 11 countries across five continents.
The program achieved immediate impact at the regional level. Coaches were dispatched to Bahrain and Saudi Arabia to prepare elite athletes for two high-profile multi-sport events:
- Bahrain for the Asian Youth Games (October 2025)
- Saudi Arabia for the Islamic Solidarity Games (November 2025)
Looking ahead, the long-term vision remains bold: supporting Indonesia’s potential bid to host the Olympic Games in 2036. By building high-performance systems and fostering grassroots development abroad, the coach deployment program strengthens the foundation for Pencak Silat to gain official recognition on the world’s most prestigious stage.
The international roster of participating nations and assigned coaches, listed alphabetically for clarity, includes:
- BAHRAIN: Muhammad Riski Adi Wijaya & Hamdani Hermizal Razarudin
- CAMBODIA: Lutfan Budisantoso
- INDIA: Suhud Indratno
- IRAQ: Firdhana Wahyu Putra
- JAPAN: Burhanuddin Muhammad Diyah & Lesmana
- KAZAKHSTAN: Eko Febrianto
- LAOS*): Basis Sudrajat
- MYANMAR*): Surianto & Nurfakih
- SAUDI ARABIA: Abdul Malik
- SENEGAL: Tri Juwanda Samsul Bahar & Awaluddin
- SOUTH KOREA: Denny Aprisani & Wewey Wita
- UAE: Amri Rusdana
- UZBEKISTAN: Andra Ramadhan Malela
*) Myanmar and Laos were not part of the IPSF-PERSILAT and the Ministry of Youth and Sports’ initiative. Coaches were sent for the preparation of the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand.
As the 2025 program officially concludes, the ripple effects of these efforts are just beginning. With strengthened international partnerships, enhanced athlete readiness, and a clear path toward Olympic recognition, Pencak Silat is no longer just a traditional martial art—it’s a global movement on the rise. The journey to the Olympics has truly begun.
tssi