JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS – The Indonesian Ambassador to Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, M. Fadjroel Rachman, stated that Kazakhstan’s success in the World Pencak Silat Championship in Abu Dhabi is a testament to the growing diplomatic ties between Indonesia and Kazakhstan, as well as the wider Central Asia region.

“The remarkable achievements of Kazakhstan in Pencak Silat at the Abu Dhabi World Championship not only highlight the sport’s connection to Indonesian culture but also reflect the strong relationship between Indonesia and Kazakhstan,” said Fadjroel in a press release from the Indonesian Embassy in Astana.

Fadjroel, who also serves as an advisor to the Pencak Silat Associations of Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, explained that Kazakhstan’s progress in Pencak Silat reflects the success of Indonesia’s diplomacy in Kazakhstan and Central Asia, both at the government-to-government and people-to-people levels.

At the World Pencak Silat Championship, held from December 18 to 22, 2024, Kazakhstan emerged as a top performer, securing 10 gold, 7 silver, and 15 bronze medals. Meanwhile, Indonesia was the overall champion in both the senior and junior categories. In the senior competition, Indonesia won 11 gold, 7 silver, and 5 bronze, while in the junior category, Indonesia earned 11 gold, 3 silver, and 2 bronze medals, with over 1,100 participants from 57 countries.

The Indonesian Embassy in Astana has been actively supporting the development of Pencak Silat in Kazakhstan through various programs, including sending three delegations of trainers since 2023 from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Indonesian Pencak Silat Association (IPSI), Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, and PERSILAT. Other initiatives include providing Pencak Silat equipment, facilitating participation in competitions, and establishing a Pencak Silat Corner at the Indonesian Cultural Center in Astana in 2022, which serves as a training space for Pencak Silat enthusiasts in Kazakhstan and Central Asia.