Arizona Asian Festival, Jalan Pencak Silat Towards The Olympics

JAKARTA - The United States Sport Silat Association (USSSA) or the United States Pencak Silat Federation is very excited to contribute to developing pencak silat.

Developing traditional Indonesian sports is not limited to the United States. USSSA turned out to be serious and in line with bringing pencak silat to become a sport that is competed in the Olympics.

The meeting with Prabowo Subianto, the President of the Indonesian Pencak Silat Association (IPSI) and the IPSF (International Pencak Silat/Persilat Federation), in 2019 became a milestone for USSSA to participate in promoting pencak silat.

Jacob Richter, President of USSSA, became a person who had a big role in the campaign. He told VOI.id in a special interview via online how to discuss the long discussion of pencak silat with the main goal of reaching the Olympics.

So there is a photo of me with Pak Prabowo Subianto. We were actually drinking coffee at his house when we took the photo. We are discussing the development of pencak silat in the United States. The photo was 2019.

"Then, I discussed several times with Pak Prabowo about the promotion of pencak silat. He agrees with us. What we are looking for is the corporate, which we call sponsors."

When we were able to find corporate sponsors for the International Pencak Silat Federation (Persilat), Persilat infrastructure, at that time could help financially support growth on a global scale.

"Of course Mr. Prabowo Subianto, he looks at the global scale and the road to the Olympics. So, it is very expensive and there are many logistics and financial logistics".

"So, we encourage and teach people how to produce sponsors so we can continue the momentum we've been building for five or six years now," said Jacob Richter.

Since its establishment in 2019, USSSA has made pencak silat widely known in the United States in particular. Of the 50 states in Uncle Sam's country, 26 of them already have federations and are members of the USSSA.

Various achievements at international levels and national-level championships to international pencak silat have also been held in the United States for the past six years.

The big goal of the USSSA is to support pencak silat competed in the Olympics with the pencak silat federation from other Persilat member countries. A number of promotional programs have also been prepared.

"The hope or focus of our main mission in the United States is to promote the implementation and sharing of pencak Silat sports, the Persilat constitution in the United States".

We are in the West. We host, promote, help, and do everything we can to help every silat college become stronger and better. USSSA will not stop until pencak silat is at the Olympics," said Jacob Richter.

Arizona Asian Festival

As a step to bring pencak silat to the Olympics, USSSA does not want to remain silent. A number of agendas are prepared to expand the reach of pencak silat.

Nearby, pencak silat will be displayed at the Arizona Asia Festival which will be held at Mesa on March 28-29, 2025.

So it was very interesting. Coincidentally, one of our universities got to know the hosts of a slightly smaller festival. When I was there I met a Malaysian honorary consul in Mesa, Arizona.

They have collaborated with the Governor of Arizona to establish an Asian district. So, inside the city of Mesa, Arizona, there is an Asian district that is promoted. All Asian cultures are there.

Untungnya Konsul Malaysia yang berasal dari Brunei membahaskan apa yang telah ia dilakukan dalam hal mempersecukasi budaya Asia. Jadi, sebagai diplomat, dia ingin mempromosikan budaya Asia.

The Arizona governor sees their state as having the highest number of Olympic medals from all states in the United States. So, it was a perfect opportunity when we were invited to speak at the opening ceremony in front of 20,000 people. Then, we also demonstrated pencak silat for the opening ceremony.

This festival has evolved. They have all the data and statistics. They have grown from a very small festival. Last year, there were 40,000 people present. This year it is hoped that there will be 50,000 people or more who attend.

We have invited many countries. It's a bit complicated at the moment in terms of visas to enter the United States. However, we have delegates between 30 and 50 fighters who will demonstrate from about 20 different universities, at least 25 state representatives," said Jacob Richter.

Furthermore, the USSSA president wants his delegation to show pencak silat is not only a martial art or culture from Asia, but also a sport that deserves to be competed at the Olympic level.

Pencak Silat is in more than 76 countries. I think we are already in 80 or 82 countries now. So, we follow the leader of Persilat, Mr. Prabowo Subianto, and look at it from a global point of view so that everyone can come," he said again.

Meanwhile, specifically, NOC Indonesia, which is also conducting consolidation with all pencak silat federations under Persilat (IPSF) to support pencak silat as a sport at the Olympics, expressed official support to USSSA regarding the Arizona Asian Festival 2025.

Warm greetings from the Indonesian Olympic Committee (NOC Indonesia). With great pride and admiration, I congratulate the United States Sport Silat Association (USSSA), Pencak Silat Federation of the Americas (PSFA), and the hosts, Arizona Asian Festival, for this monumental event.

This festival provides an extraordinary platform to celebrate Asia's legacy and highlights the importance of pencak silat culture and sport. It is encouraging to see USSSA and PSFA take the lead in promoting the growth and recognition of pencak silat in America, an important step towards the inclusion of pencak silat as a demonstration sport at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

NOC Indonesia remains steadfast in its efforts to bring pencak silat to the global stage and is encouraged to see this dedication reflected in your work. While I regret not being able to attend the festival because of previous commitments, know that I fully support and praise your efforts.

This event marks an important milestone in strengthening cultural and sporting relations between Indonesia and the United States. Your efforts are proof of the common spirit to preserve and advance the legacy of pencak silat around the world," read a letter signed directly by the President of NOC Indonesia, Raja Sapta Oktohari.