The lion dance performance, or barongsai, hugely contributes to driving the country’s sports tourism, National Sports Committee (KONI) Chairman Marciano Norman stated here on Friday.
Norman suggested to the Indonesian Lion Dance Federation Board Management (PB FOBI) to regularly hold events in order to produce great lion dance athletes. He also advised the PB FOBI to be collaborative in improving governance in the organization.
Barongsai, or lion dance, holds a special value that supports Indonesian sports tourism development, he affirmed. Hence, he asserted that some special events that synergize with the regional programs should be conducted.
Earlier, KONI welcomed the visit of PB FOBI officers in Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday (January 19, 2022).
At the meeting, PB FOBI Chairman Edy Kusuma spoke of the lion dance training programs still being run amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“During the pandemic, FOBI never halted its activities all across Indonesia,” he added.
Currently, Kusuma noted that PB FOBI encompassed 25 provincial managements throughout Indonesia. Representing members of the society that perform and enjoy Indonesian lion dance, he expressed gratitude that the lion dance was not merely a form of entertainment.
“I am thankful that the lion dance was included as a sports branch,” he pointed out.
PB FOBI also noted that some Indonesian lion dance athletes had partaken in several international championships.
Apart from the commendable lion dance athletes, Indonesia’s judging process of lion dance competitions has gone smoothly, as Indonesia always aims for international regulations.
The Indonesian Lion Dance Federation Board Management also published a translated book of international regulations as a guideline for lion dance sports in the country. Several nations have taken a cue from Indonesia about its judging quality due to which PB FOBI has planned to hold a related seminar in 2022.
PB FOBI is also optimistic that the lion dance would be competed in the National Sports Week (PON) in future, considering that the sport had blended with the Indonesian culture since long.
“The history (of barongsai) dates back to olden times in Indonesia. The performers have extended to more than just Chinese-descent people,” he noted.
Source: Antara News