Cairo — Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto expressed his hope that Pencak Silat, a traditional Indonesian martial art, could become an officially recognized sport in Egypt.

This statement was made during a press conference following a bilateral meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi at the Al-Ittihadiya Presidential Palace in Cairo on Wednesday (December 18).

Prabowo highlighted cultural cooperation as one of the key areas to be strengthened between Indonesia and Egypt. He specifically pointed out the growing interest in Pencak Silat among Egyptian youths.

“In terms of cultural collaboration, we also want to promote Pencak Silat, a martial art that has become increasingly popular in Egypt,” Prabowo remarked.

According to Prabowo, more than 4,000 young people in Egypt are currently practicing Pencak Silat.

“If possible, we hope it can become an officially recognized sport in Egypt. I’ve received reports that over 4,000 young Egyptians are learning Pencak Silat,” he stated.

It is worth noting that Prabowo has served as the Chairman of the Indonesian Pencak Silat Federation (IPSI) for over 21 years. Throughout his tenure, he has consistently promoted Pencak Silat on the international stage to enhance its global recognition.

— (RR)