Kotabaru, South Kalimantan (ANTARA) - To preserve sport culture, healthy lifestyle and togetherness, the government of Kotabaru District and the local Recreational Sports Committee (KORMI) held a competition at the Siring Laut attraction.
Deputy Regent of Kotabaru Syairi Mukhlis, who read the Regent Muhammad Rusli's remarks, emphasized the importance of this event for Kotabaru to provide spaces for positive physical activities, especially for children amidst the rapid flow of digital technology.
“I believe traditional sports have the power to unite generations, build character, and strengthen our love for our cultural heritage amidst the current tide of modernization. We need spaces like this, so our children can continue to recognize their cultural roots,“ he said here, Saturday (September 6, 2025).
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He appreciated the organization of the game, hoping the traditional sports would not serve only as entertainment but also as educational tool that stengthens togetherness and foster spirirt of sportmanship and love of the nation culture.
The KORMI of Kotabaru chairperson Drs Sugiatno said that this event is an important medium to introduce traditional sports to younger generation.
There is a good news this year, Kotabaru placed 7th in the South Kalimantan Provincial KORMI Games (Porda KORMI).
“Alhamdulillah (Thank God), this year Kotabaru was able to participate in KORMI Provincial Games in South Kalimantan and placed 7th out of 13 districts and cities. This is a proud achievement,” he said.
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Head of Kotabaru Tourism, Youth and Sports Office (Disparpora) Sonny Tua Halomoan affirmed that the traditional sports are not just games, but also a cultural heritage imbued with mutual cooperation and togetherness.
“Through this games we can teach cooperation and foster love for our national's culture, especially for the younger generation,” he said.
The event which celebrated the National Sports Day 2025 ran for two days, September 6 to 7, 2025.
Various traditional sports contested including egrang (stilts), bakiak (clogs), panco (arm wrestling), ketapel (catapult), silat budaya (cultural silat), hadang (handstand), badaku, lari balok (beam running), sumpit (blowpipe), bola sundul (header), and street scoccer.
There were also gasing (spinning) and halma as exhibition.
The games involved 1, 250 athletes from the Kotabaru district, and from East Kalimantan, especially for catapult category.
It was also attended by Speaker of Kotabaru Legislative Council (DPRD) Suwanti and some DPRD members, Assistant I, and other officials, Chief and members of KORMI Kotabaru.
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