UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta is once again hosting a national martial arts event, the Sunan Kalijaga Cup V 2026 National Pencak Silat Championship, officially held October 27-29, 2026, at the UIN Sunan Kalijaga Multi Purpose Building. The event is organized by the PPS CEPEDI Pencak Silat Student Activity Unit (UKM) as part of efforts to develop sports achievement while preserving the nation's cultural heritage.
The championship brings together pencak silat athletes from across Indonesia in the early-age (elementary school), pre-teen (junior high), teen (senior high), and adult (university students and general public) categories. Events include full-contact tanding in all weight classes, single form (jurus tunggal), doubles form (jurus ganda), team form (jurus beregu), and free solo/creative solo.
Vice Rector for Student Affairs and Cooperation Prof. Dr. Abdur Rozaki expressed appreciation for the organization of the 2026 Kalijaga Cup. He said the event is a space for athletes to test their abilities and build competitive experience.
Meanwhile, UKM Cepedi Advisor Pamuji, S.Ag., M.IP., reminded athletes to maintain their stamina throughout the championship. He also stressed the importance of upholding sportsmanship in every match.
Sunan Kalijaga Cup V Organizing Committee Chair Agung Dwi Pradana explained that the championship is not only a competition arena but also a place for friendship (silaturahmi) and development for young pencak silat practitioners from across Indonesia. In his view, holding the championship on a campus is expected to strengthen synergy between education and the development of sports achievement.
“Sunan Kalijaga Cup V aims to be a gathering for Indonesia's pencak silat family, a way to recruit new students through the achievement track, a channel for interests and talents, a way to strengthen the wider pencak silat family at UIN Sunan Kalijaga, and a medium for developing soft skills for the officers and members of UKM PPS CEPEDI,” he said.
Sunan Kalijaga Cup V received support and endorsement from UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta and the Indonesian Pencak Silat Association (IPSI), at both the regency and regional levels, as a shared commitment to developing pencak silat in a way that upholds sportsmanship, achievement, and the nation's cultural values.
“This national-level championship has 860 participants. Based on the reply letters we received, participants come from at least 11 provinces, representing universities and regional IPSI branches. Most are from Java, with the largest number from Banten, at 130 people. Several universities in Yogyakarta are also taking part, while participants from outside Java include those from Lampung, Bengkulu, and Bali,” he added.
A similar note was struck by the Chair of UKM PPS Cepedi, who said Sunan Kalijaga Cup V continues to receive a positive response despite a crowded calendar of pencak silat championships. The enthusiasm led the committee to cap the number of participants. According to the Chair, participants also responded positively to the cleanliness of the building, the spacious parking areas, and the completeness of the facilities.
To support participant safety, the Chair continued, the committee worked with Hermina Hospital, which has three doctors and nine support staff on standby. All participants are also covered by BPJS insurance.
Besides offering a competitive and professional event, the championship also provides an academic recognition benefit. Participants' achievements can become part of their achievement-track portfolio at UIN Sunan Kalijaga through the Golden Ticket scheme, in accordance with applicable rules.
Through this championship, UIN Sunan Kalijaga strengthens its role not only as an educational institution but also as a space for young people to realize themselves in sports and cultural preservation. Sunan Kalijaga Cup V is hoped to be a moment that produces high-achieving pencak silat athletes who can bring honor to their regions and the nation at higher levels. (humassk)
