Diterima Menpora Dito, Ketum FOBI Laporkan Persiapan Perjuaraan Internasional Barongsai Piala Presiden

JAKARTA - Representing President Joko Widodo, Minister of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Indonesia (Menpora RI) Dito Ariotedjo received an audience with the General Chairperson of the Indonesian Barongsai Sports Federation (PB FOBI) Edy Kusuma and his entourage in his office, 10th floor of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Thursday 10 August afternoon.

At the meeting, Edy Kusuma conveyed regarding the preparations for FOBI which will carry out the international lion dance competition by competing for the President's Cup.

"We have come here (Kemenpora) to report regarding preparations for implementing the international championship lion dance of the President's Cup. And we hope to get support and blessings from the Minister so that this championship can run successfully and smoothly," said Edy.

In line with Edy Kusuma, Secretary General of FOBI Arifin Himawan conveyed his purpose of coming to the Kemenpora Office. "Our purpose and objective is to have an audience with the Minister to report the preparation for the implementation of the international lion dance championship under the name President's Cup," said Arifin.

"This international lion dance achievement is carried out so that Indonesia is more well known in the eyes of the international community, especially in the sport of lion dance achievements. In addition, we want to introduce a lion dance that has become a sport for achievement in Indonesia because since 2013, FOBI has become a member of KONI," he added.

He further said that the lion dance has special values that can be useful for the development of sport tourism in the country. "The role of lion dance for sport tourism is very large. And this is in line with the expectations of the Government of Indonesia," he explained.

According to him, this championship is planned to be held in Jakarta in December 2023 and will be attended by 14 countries. "There are 14 countries that will participate, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Brunei, China, Hong Kong, Australia, Chinese Taipei, Macau and America. And I hope that the participants can increase again," he explained.

Hearing this, Menpora Dito welcomed this international lion dance championship. "We really support this international championship. And we want this FOBI to be known in the international arena," he explained. Regarding the continuation of preparations for the international lion dance championship, according to him, Kemenpora will continue to monitor its development. "What is certain is that we will continue to monitor in detail both in terms of its implementation and its venues," he said.

Next, said Menpora Dito that this meeting would be reported by President Joko Widodo. "Today I received the General Chairperson of the FOBI, Mr. Edy Kusuma. He reported that this December he will hold a President's Cup event for the lion dance, which is at the level of the international championship. And this is in preparation and we will then report it to the President," he concluded.