Socio Today
The landscape of Indonesian equestrian sports reached a significant milestone on Saturday, September 19, 2026, as the Chairman of the Central Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI), retired Lieutenant General Marciano Norman, officially inaugurated the 3rd National Championship (Kejurnas) of Horseback Archery. Held at the picturesque Cakrawala Nuansa Nirwana (CNN) venue in Bogor, the event serves as a critical "Road to PON" (National Sports Week) qualifier, signaling a heightened commitment to formalizing and professionalizing this traditional yet burgeoning discipline in the national sports ecosystem.
The tournament, which spanned four days from September 17 to September 20, 2026, brought together 98 elite athletes representing 13 provincial contingents. With 14 distinct competition categories, the championship serves as both a testing ground for veteran riders and a launchpad for the next generation of Indonesian horseback archers.
The Evolution of Horseback Archery in Indonesia
Horseback archery, or berkuda memanah, is a discipline that blends centuries-old equestrian traditions with the precision of archery. Historically rooted in various cultures across Central Asia and the Middle East, the sport has found a unique niche in Indonesia. Under the stewardship of the Indonesian Horseback Archery Federation (IHAF)—an affiliate of the Pordasi (All Indonesia Horse Owners and Riders Association) ecosystem—the sport has transitioned from a recreational hobby to a structured competitive pursuit recognized by national sports authorities.
The appointment of Triwatty Marciano as the leader of the IHAF has been instrumental in this transformation. By aligning the federation’s objectives with the broader goals of KONI, the organization has successfully integrated horseback archery into the national sports calendar, ensuring that athletes receive the necessary training, regulatory oversight, and competitive exposure required to excel at regional and international levels.
A Strategic Evaluation for National Sports Development
During his keynote address at the opening ceremony, Marciano Norman emphasized that the Kejurnas is not merely a competition but a vital evaluation tool for regional sports development. According to Marciano, every member of KONI is mandated to hold annual national championships, as these events provide a clear metric for the efficacy of training programs conducted by regional boards.
"The national championship serves as an annual obligation for all KONI members. It functions as a barometer to evaluate how regional programs are performing and whether their training methodologies are yielding the desired results in athletic achievement," Marciano stated.
The inclusion of the "Road to PON" designation highlights the strategic importance of this championship. As Indonesia continues to prepare for upcoming National Sports Weeks, the data gathered from the performance of the 98 participants will influence the selection process for provincial teams. This ensures that only the most qualified athletes, who have proven their mettle in high-pressure national scenarios, represent their regions on the prestigious PON stage.
The Rise of Youth Talent and Long-term Vision
One of the most striking aspects of the 3rd Kejurnas was the demographic composition of the participants. Marciano noted that a vast majority of the competitors were young athletes, some of whom are at the very beginning of their professional careers. This influx of youth talent is viewed as a positive indicator of the sport’s sustainability and its potential to secure Indonesia’s future on the international stage.
"I observed that the average age of the athletes competing in this third championship is quite young. This is promising. My hope is that these individuals will continue their development diligently so that in the near future, they can represent Indonesia in international arenas and bring home medals," Marciano remarked.
However, the KONI Chairman also issued a cautionary note regarding the nature of athletic success. He stressed that excellence in sports is rarely the result of a short-term effort or an "instant" outcome. Instead, it requires a systematic, long-term approach to training, where regional federations and individual athletes commit to a continuous cycle of competition and refinement.
Strengthening Organizational Governance and Event Management
Beyond the physical feats on the field, KONI is placing an increased emphasis on the "soft" side of sports development: governance and event management. For a sport as complex as horseback archery, which involves both animal welfare and high-stakes technical scoring, the quality of officiating is paramount.
Marciano explicitly requested that the Indonesian Horseback Archery Federation (IHAF) and its provincial chapters prioritize the following areas:
- Management and Administration: Ensuring that events are run according to professional international standards to provide a fair playing field for all participants.
- Quality of Officiating: Training and certifying judges who can accurately and impartially evaluate the intricacies of horseback archery, which involves both horsemanship and accuracy under physical exertion.
- Athletic Monitoring: Implementing a robust system to track the progress of athletes, identifying those who show the most potential for growth and providing them with specialized support.
This push for better management is essential to attract sponsors and public interest. As the sport gains visibility, the professionalism of the organizers will determine whether horseback archery can transition from a niche discipline to a mainstream attraction in the Indonesian sporting landscape.
Broader Implications for Indonesian Sports
The success of the 3rd Kejurnas Berkuda Memanah serves as a microcosm of a larger trend in Indonesian sports: the diversification of the national athletic portfolio. By legitimizing traditional and technical sports, KONI is broadening the opportunities for Indonesian youth to find their athletic niche, thereby increasing the country’s medal potential in multi-sport events.
The event at CNN Bogor also highlighted the importance of private-public partnerships. The collaboration between the federation and private facility owners like Ervi, the Director of CNN, provides the necessary infrastructure that might otherwise be unavailable. Such synergy is vital for the survival of sports that require specialized venues—such as arenas for galloping horses combined with archery targets.
Looking Ahead: The Road to Future Championships
As the 2026 championship concludes, the focus now shifts toward the analysis of the results. The 14 numbers (categories) contested provide a detailed dataset of where Indonesia’s strengths lie—whether in speed, accuracy, or the fusion of both.
The implications for the next PON are clear: regional federations that invested heavily in their youth programs over the last two years are likely to dominate the leaderboard. For those who lagged behind, the 2026 Kejurnas serves as a wake-up call to restructure their coaching staff and training schedules.
Moreover, the international ambition articulated by the KONI Chairman suggests that Indonesia is looking beyond its borders. With international bodies like the International Horseback Archery Federation (IHAF) promoting the sport globally, Indonesian athletes who master the local circuit now have a clearer path to participating in global championships in Turkey, Hungary, or South Korea—countries where the sport is already well-established.
Conclusion
The 3rd Kejurnas Berkuda Memanah 2026 stands as a testament to the growth of traditional sports in modern Indonesia. Through the leadership of the KONI and the dedicated efforts of the IHAF, the discipline has moved closer to the standards required for elite national and international competition.
By prioritizing grassroots development, rigorous governance, and sustainable training cycles, the stakeholders involved in the event have set a foundation that will likely define the future of the sport for years to come. As the 98 athletes return to their respective provinces, the lessons learned and the standards set in Bogor will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of their careers, ultimately serving the greater goal of elevating Indonesia’s sporting prowess on the global stage.
The event concludes not just with a list of winners, but with a strengthened commitment to the discipline, ensuring that when the next PON arrives, the competition will be fiercer, more professional, and more reflective of the talent that exists across the Indonesian archipelago.
