VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Hundreds of Kenyan student athletes participated in the Pencak Silat Ambassador's Cup 2024 tournament held at Woodcreek School in Kiambu County, Kenya, Saturday (22/6).

In a written statement received by Antara in Jakarta on Sunday (23/6), Indonesian Ambassador to Kenya, Mohamad Hery Saripudin, explained that the event is part of the celebration of 45 years of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Kenya. According to Ambassador Mohamad Hery, this event not only fosters cultural exchanges between Indonesia and Kenya but also serves as a cultural bridge to enhance mutual understanding and relations among the people of both countries.

At the event, Ambassador Hery also inaugurated the opening of Pencak Silat training centers in six schools in Kenya. He stated that Pencak Silat is is not only a martial art but also a discipline to improve physical fitness, mental resilience, and cultural appreciation.

The Ambassador's Cup 2024 is a collaboration between the Indonesian Embassy in Nairobi, the National Federation of Pencak Silat Kenya (NFPSK), and an Indonesian instant noodle production company in Kenya. 248 participants from various schools in Kenya took part in the event.

The tournament featured several categories, ranging from children to adults, boys, girls, stance demonstrations, one-on-one sparring, and was attended by at least 500 people, including participants’ families, and supporters. The event was also attended by Rector of Umma University, lecturers from the Technical University of Mombasa who brought participant delegations, as well as school principals whose students participated in the competition.

Abdul Kadir Jailani, Director for Asia, Pacific, and Africa at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who attended as a guest of honor, welcomed this Pencak Silat tournament. He mentioned that this event would strengthen Indonesia-Kenya relations. Meanwhile, Cleopas Chalica, Chairman of the National Federation of Pencak Silat Kenya, urged theparticipants to respect sportsmanship, solidarity, friendship, and camaraderie during the tournament.

The Indonesian Embassy in Nairobi said that they seized the momentum by providing support for the advancement of Pencak Silat in Kenya, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Somalia. This support includes providing Silat uniforms, protective gear, Silat props, as well as organizing tournaments and other activities to promote Pencak Silat to the world.(Ant)