Jakarta – The National Sports Conference and National Coordination Meeting held at the Grand Ball Room InterContinental Jakarta, Sunday (6/10/2024), by acclamation again appointed Police General (ret.) Prof. Dr. Budi Gunawan, SH, M.Sc., Ph.D. as the General Chairperson of the Indonesian Esports Executive Board (PB ESI) for the second term.
In his remarks when opening the 2024 PB ESI National Sports Week, Budi Gunawan emphasized the importance of developing an inclusive and sustainable esports ecosystem.
He also expressed his gratitude to all parties who have supported him, including the government and the community.
“We are committed to making esports a positive platform for young people, not only as a means of entertainment, but also as a way to achieve success and create new economic opportunities,” he said.
The election of Budi Gunawan was issued by the Leadership of the National Sports Conference after hearing the aspirations of the ESI Province along with the various achievements that the Head of BIN has carved out in fostering PB ESI, including establishing an athlete academy and training for referees.
Indonesian Esports athletes have also proven their abilities in international competitions by winning two gold medals, three silver medals, and one bronze medal at the 2021 SEA Games in Vietnam.
In the same place, Deputy Chairman III of KONI, Major General TNI Ret. Andri Sutarno appreciated Budi Gunawan’s various achievements.
“This success is an extraordinary achievement of PB ESI under the leadership of General Budi Gunawan. We appreciate his hard work and all the administrators who have contributed greatly to advancing the history of esports in Indonesia,” he said.
Meanwhile, Expert Staff for Sports Culture at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Hamka Hendra Noer, also praised the steps that Budi Gunawan has taken so far.
“Esports is now a sport that is of interest to the younger generation. Under Budi Gunawan’s leadership, PB ESI has succeeded not only in achievements, but also in instilling the values of professionalism and sportsmanship in young athletes,” he concluded.
For information, PB ESI also emphasized its commitment to improving the development of esports talent and infrastructure in all regions.
More than 84 schools and 19 universities have now integrated esports programs into their extracurricular curriculum, paving the way for young people to explore careers in this increasingly sought-after field.