Guardian Girls Pencak Silat Launched Globally in Indonesia
Guardian Girls International (GGI) and the International Pencak Silat Federation (IPSF-PERSILAT) officially launched the global Guardian Girls Pencak Silat (GGPS) initiative during a high-level international reception held at the Official Residence of the Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia in Jakarta.
The historic launch marked a major international collaboration to empower women and girls through Pencak Silat, Indonesia’s traditional martial art and cultural heritage, which was inscribed by UNESCO on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2019.
The global Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by Mr. Shin Koyamada, Secretary General of GGI and Mr. Teddy Suratmadji, Secretary General of IPSF-PERSILAT witnessed by Mr. Benny G. Sumarsono, Executive Chairman of IPSF-PERSILAT.
Opening remarks were delivered by:
- Mr. Myochin Mitsuru, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Japan in Indonesia;
- Mr. Shin Koyamada, Secretary General of GGI;
- Ms. Verania Andriani, Assistant Representative of UNFPA Indonesia;
- Ms. Zelda Wulan Kartika, Senior Advisor to the Minister on Economic Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia;
- Mr. Raja Sapta Oktohari, President of NOC Indonesia; and
- Mr. Inami Kazumi, Director of the Japan Foundation Indonesia
The President of IPSF-PERSILAT is H.E. Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia, while the President of IPSI is H.E. Sugiono, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, reflecting Indonesia’s strong national commitment to advancing Pencak Silat on the global stage.
Founded in Jakarta in 1980, IPSF-PERSILAT serves as the international governing body for Pencak Silat and today works with more than 80 member countries across Asia, Europe, Africa, the Americas, and Oceania to promote and develop the martial art internationally.
A key long-term vision shared by IPSF-PERSILAT and Indonesia’s national sports leadership is the inclusion of Pencak Silat in the Olympic Games. President Prabowo Subianto has repeatedly reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to elevating Pencak Silat internationally under the vision of “Pencak Silat Goes Global: The Road to the Olympics.”
The reception welcomed distinguished guests from the diplomatic community, Indonesian government institutions, United Nations agencies, women’s organizations, national sports federations, educational institutions, and civil society organizations. Representatives and executives from numerous Indonesian sports federations attended to celebrate and support the launch, highlighting growing collaboration across sectors to empower women and girls through sports, culture, and education.
As part of the partnership, IPSI officially joined Guardian Girls Indonesia (GGNC Indonesia) as a member organization to help implement the GGPS initiative nationwide through its extensive network, expertise, and institutional resources.
Through the initiative, IPSI and GGI aim to collaborate with the Indonesian government, UN agencies including UNFPA Indonesia, national sports federations, educational institutions, and local communities to create sustainable long-term impact for women and girls through GGPS Seminars and GGPS Academy programs across Indonesia.
One of the highlights of the evening was a live demonstration by newly certified Indonesian female Guardian Girls Pencak Silat instructors, showcasing self-protection techniques, discipline, leadership, and the cultural values embodied in Pencak Silat.
“Pencak Silat is more than a martial art — it is a symbol of cultural identity, discipline, resilience, and unity,” said Shin Koyamada. “Through this historic partnership with IPSF-PERSILAT and IPSI, we hope to create meaningful opportunities for women and girls while helping share Indonesia’s proud cultural heritage with the world.”
The GGPS initiative joins GGI’s growing network of international sports-based empowerment projects, including Guardian Girls Karate (GGK) with the World Karate Federation, Guardian Girls Ju-Jitsu (GGJJ) with the Ju-Jitsu International Federation, and Guardian Girls Vovinam (GGV) with the World Vovinam Federation.
Over the past three years alone, GGI has launched projects and activities in more than 28 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas in collaboration with governments, United Nations agencies, international sports federations, embassies, educational institutions, women’s organizations, and civil society partners.