Chess Driven To Enter PON 2028

JAKARTA - Hardiyanto Kenneth targets chess to be competed in the 2028 National Sports Week (PON) after being officially elected as Chairman of the All-Indonesian Chess Association (Percasi) DKI Jakarta for the 2025-2029 service period.

Hardiyanto was elected by acclamation to replace his senior Pandapotan Sinaga in the Jakarta Percasi Province Deliberation which was held at the Tavia Heritage Hotel, Central Jakarta, on Saturday, July 26, 2025.

After being elected, Hardiyanto said that currently chess is not included in the list of sports that will be competed in the 2028 PON which will take place in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) and West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).

"This is our homework together, especially the Jakarta Percasi management. We will coordinate with KONI DKI to fight for it," said the figure who also serves as a member of the DKI Jakarta DPRD from the PDI-P faction.

The 44-year-old admits that he has had an interest in chess since childhood. However, only the courage to get involved directly in the organization this year.

"Previously, I did not have the courage to enter the organization, but today, fate said otherwise. So, I ventured to take this mandate," said Kenneth.

After being elected, Kenneth will also focus on tiered and structured coaching. This effort includes strengthening chess clubs, expanding access to coaching throughout the capital city, and encouraging the regeneration of athletes from an early age.

"DKI Jakarta's regulation is not only a chess sports organization, but also a big home for extraordinary talents. In the future, we will strengthen the foundation with directed coaching and expand access to the grassroots level," he said.

Hardiyanto further emphasized his determination to make Jakarta a national chess barometer, especially after leaving as the overall champion at the XXI 2024 PON in Aceh and North Sumatra.

At that time, Percasi DKI Jakarta recorded a brilliant history by winning eight gold medals out of a total of 12 match numbers. This achievement confirms the dominance of DKI Jakarta on the national chess stage.

For athlete development, the Chairperson of the IKAL PPRA LXII Lemhannas RI targets collaboration with schools in Jakarta so that they can catch the seeds of chess from an early age.

"My target in the future is to collaborate with schools. I want schools to be the birthplace of Jakarta's flagship chess candidates," he said.

In addition, Kent, as he is familiarly called, will also intensify chess competitions at the local level in order to increase the flight hours of the athletes. He even opened up the possibility of sending athletes to Eastern Europe to practice and expand his experience.

He said that championships would often be held every year. In the next 30 days, he will also have the task of forming the management.

"After that, we will arrange the next programs. We will also improve the existence of Percasi Jakarta social media because the digital world is now very important," explained the Head of the DPD PDI Perjuangan Disaster Management Agency (Baguna) of DKI Jakarta Province.

For this reason, Percasi DKI Jakarta will continue to coordinate with PB Percasi Pusat, KONI DKI Jakarta, and other stakeholders to fight for the national chess position.

He said that his party still had until 2026 to encourage the addition of sports by the Central KONI.

"This is a collective struggle that requires solidity and commitment from all parties. Let's make this momentum the starting point for building a stronger, more open and accomplished Jakarta chess ecosystem," he said.

Kent also invited all levels of DKI Jakarta administrators, coaches and chess players to remain solid, maintain the rhythm of coaching, and jointly fight for the existence of chess at the national level.

"We don't just want to maintain glory, but to ensure chess continues to live and develop in the national sports ecosystem," he said.

The DKI Jakarta Percasi Provincial Conference was attended by the Secretary General of PB Percasi Hendri Hendratno, who represented the General Chairperson of PB Percasi GM Utut Adianto, then the Deputy Secretary General of PB Percasi Nanang Pudjakusumah, and representatives from the DKI Jakarta KONI, Budiman, as Chair of the Organization and Membership Division.