Jakarta – Head of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) General of Police (ret.) Prof. Dr. Budi Gunawan, SH, M.Sc., Ph.D., PSM was re-elected as the General Chairperson of the Indonesian Esports Executive Board (PB ESI) for the 2024-2029 period. This decision was announced after the National Sports Conference (Musornas) and the National Coordination Meeting (Rakornas) of PB ESI on Sunday (6/10), which agreed to continue Budi Gunawan’s leadership as a form of appreciation for the achievements that had been achieved during the previous period.
In his statement, Budi Gunawan highlighted the various achievements that PB ESI has achieved at the national and international levels during his leadership in the 2020-2024 period. “During the previous management period, PB ESI has succeeded in achieving many achievements both at the national and international levels. International recognition of PB ESI as the official esports parent organization representing Indonesia in the international esports federation is also an important achievement,” said Budi.
Budi also added that one of PB ESI’s major achievements was Indonesia’s success in hosting the 2022 IESF World Championship in Bali. “This tournament not only succeeded in making Indonesia the overall champion, but also made history as the only outdoor esports tournament held on the beach, combining the concepts of sport-tainment and sport tourism,” he explained.
Not only that, at the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games, Indonesia managed to become the overall champion in the esports branch, by contributing three gold medals and two silver medals. This achievement continues Indonesia’s glorious tradition in international competitions, after previously winning two golds, three silvers, and one bronze at the 2021 Vietnam SEA Games.
Budi Gunawan also emphasized the importance of PB ESI’s support for esports athletes through the government’s CPNS program, as a form of appreciation for those who excel in official championships between countries. “We are committed to continuing to support and develop the esports ecosystem in Indonesia, so that it can be more competitive in the international arena,” he added.
Deputy Chairman 3 of the Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI), Major General TNI (ret.) Andri Sutarno, in his speech gave the highest appreciation to Budi Gunawan and the PB ESI management team. “I am proud of the extraordinary achievements that PB ESI has made, especially in presenting local games, such as Battle of Guardians, at PON XXI in Aceh-North Sumatra 2024. This is proof that PB ESI has advanced the local Indonesian game industry,” said Andri.
In addition, the Expert Staff for Sports Culture of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Hamka Hendra Noer, said that Esports has made extraordinary history for Indonesia, starting from appearing as an exhibition sport at the 2018 Asian Games to becoming an official sport at the 2019, 2021, and 2023 SEA Games. “This achievement shows that under Budi Gunawan’s leadership, the development of Indonesian esports has been going well and deserves appreciation,” he concluded.
With the re-election of Budi Gunawan as the General Chairperson of PB ESI, the great hope that Indonesian esports will continue to excel in the international arena is getting stronger. PB ESI is committed to continuing hard work and collaboration to advance the esports ecosystem in the country.
