IDO MOVEMENT FOR CULTURE

Background. Pencak silat is a traditional Southeast Asian martial art deeply rooted in Indonesian culture, now expanding globally as both a competitive sport and a cultural expression. Its inclusion in the 2018 Asian Games accelerated international interest and sparked renewed debate regarding its potential integration into the Olympic program.
Problem and aim. Despite increasing visibility, Pencak silat faces substantial challenges in meeting the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) criteria for new sports. These include limited global participation, uneven governance structures, inconsistent rule application, and the need for modernization. This study aims to identify the opportunities and barriers influencing Pencak silat’s prospects for inclusion in the 2032 Olympic Games.
Material and methods. A descriptive qualitative approach was employed using secondary data from IOC documents, international sport governance reports, and scholarly literature on sport globalization and martial arts development. The analysis focused on four dimensions: historical evolution, compliance with IOC standards, global participation, and comparisons with Olympic martial arts such as judo, taekwondo, and karate.
Results. The findings reveal strong cultural value, established regional competitions, and emerging technological innovations – such as sensor-based scoring systems – that support objectivity in judging. However, major barriers persist, including limited worldwide reach, inconsistent rule enforcement outside Southeast Asia, and the need for stronger global federation governance.
Conclusions. Pencak silat holds significant cultural and competitive potential, but achieving Olympic status requires expanded global penetration, unified rule standardization, and strengthened organizational structures. With strategic reforms, Pencak silat could eventually stand alongside other Olympic martial arts.