BANTEN — Around 1,200 fighters from 15 provinces are taking part in the national-level Indonesia Pencak Silat Banten Championship 2026, being held at the GOR Gedung Gelanggang Remaja, Maulana Yusuf Stadium, in Serang, Banten.
The three-day championship runs from August 28 to 30, 2026.
I Kadek Dwi Kamajaya, chairman of the organizing committee for the 2026 national Indonesia Pencak Silat Banten Championship, said the participants are representing around 104 contingents.
“We have approximately 1,200 participants from 15 provinces, representing around 104 contingents,” Kadek said in an interview on Friday (August 28, 2026).
He said the championship is not merely a competition, but also provides athletes with an opportunity to assess the results of their training while gaining valuable competitive experience.
“The main objective is to provide a platform for our athletes to evaluate their training. This allows them to gain valuable experience and build the mental strength they will need in the future,” he said.
Beyond improving their competitive abilities, Kadek said pencak silat also plays an important role in shaping athletes’ character.
He believes the values developed through the sport will serve them well throughout their lives.
“It is also about shaping their personal character for the future. At the same time, pencak silat is an important avenue for developing sporting excellence, both at the national and international levels,” he said.
Kadek explained that the championship is open to participants from across the country.
“This event is open to everyone. Some of the participants are athletes who have been developed through provincial training programs, with some using this event as part of their preparation for the PON,” he said.
According to Kadek, the championship is also being used as a trial event for athletes looking to sharpen their abilities ahead of higher-level competitions.
“It serves as a testing ground and an opportunity to improve their soft skills, particularly by sharpening their techniques and strategies,” he said.
Meanwhile, Banten Deputy Governor Dimyati Natakusumah has called for pencak silat to be further strengthened through local-content education programs in schools.
Dimyati made the remarks while attending the Indonesia Pencak Silat Banten Championship 2026 at the GOR Gedung Gelanggang Remaja, Maulana Yusuf Stadium, in Serang.
“Alhamdulillah, today we have the Indonesia Pencak Silat Banten Championship here in Ciceri, at the Serang Stadium. This is a festival,” Dimyati said.
He said more festivals and competitions should be held to identify and develop talented athletes.
“If we want to produce more outstanding athletes, we need to hold more festivals. Second, we need more training. Third, we need to improve our knowledge and strategies. Fourth, we need to continue learning new things. Those are the things pencak silat needs to do,” he said.
Dimyati expressed hope that events such as the championship would help raise the profile and achievements of pencak silat in Banten and Indonesia, including on the international stage.
“Hopefully, this festival will help improve pencak silat achievements at the Banten and Indonesian levels and eventually on the international stage. Hopefully, events like this will also encourage greater public enthusiasm for pencak silat,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of introducing pencak silat in schools as part of local-content education.
“I have also emphasized that pencak silat should be taught as a local-content subject in every school. It is mandatory. It must be taught,” Dimyati said firmly.
Dimyati views pencak silat as more than simply a martial art. He said it can also play a role in developing courage, confidence and character among younger generations.
“Why is it mandatory? Because I want our children to grow up not being timid, weak or afraid. I want them to be courageous, stand up for what is right and oppose what is wrong,” he said.
He believes learning pencak silat can help children develop confidence and courage in facing challenges.
“If they can master pencak silat, they will become courageous and successful people,” he concluded.
