South Kalimantan ready to break MURI record for silat attraction

Banjarmasin, S Kalimatan (ANTARA) - The Provincial Government of South Kalimantan through Youth and Sports Office is getting ready to break the Indonesian Museum of Records (MURI) by performing the biggest pencak silat attraction.

"The breaking of MURI record will be attended by 10 thousand silat martial artists," said Head of Sports Culturing of the South Kalimantan Youth and Sports Office Budiono in Banjarmasin, Wednesday.

The massive attraction of pencak silat, which is recognized as Indonesian Intangible Culture Heritage by UNESCO, is scheduled on October 28, 2023 at the office yard of the Provincial Government of South Kalimantan in Banjarbaru City.

"9,200 participants have been registered from districts and cities," he confirmed.

Budiono said athletes of the traditional martial art are inivited from various pencak silat schools in 13 districts and cities in the province.

There will also be participants from the Indonesian Pencak Silat Association (IPSI) of Banjarmasin City and IPSI South Kalimantan with a total 1,500 silat athletes.

Then other silat athletes from the regional government working units (SKPD) of the provincial government around 1,000 people.

"Also supported by the Naval Base, South Kalimantan Military Resort Command around 500 silat fighters," he said.

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With a quite high participation to break the MURI record, the number of participants is predicted to reach 12,000.

"Because of the high interest to involve in this activity to make a history, we really preparing it. Currently we are preparing layout and main stage for silat instructor," he said.

It is hoped that breaking MURI will increase people's motivation in sports, especially pencak silat.

"We want to show our existence in pencak silat as a preservation of traditional sports and culture. It also promotes sport tourism," said Budiono.