Jakarta – The Indonesian Esports Executive Board (PB ESI) held the 2024 National Sports Conference (Musornas) and National Coordination Meeting (Rakornas) in Jakarta. The event took place at the Grand Ballroom Inter Continental Jakarta, Pondok Indah, South Jakarta, Sunday (6/10).
From the results of the National Conference and National Coordination Meeting, the General Chairperson of PB ESI for the 2020-2024 period who is also the Head of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN), Police General (Ret.) Prof. Dr. Budi Gunawan, SH, M.Sc., Ph.D., PSM was re-elected by acclamation. All ESI Provincial Chairpersons overwhelmingly supported and appointed Budi Gunawan as the General Chairperson. The Musornas Leadership then issued a decision, appointing Mr. Budi Gunawan as the Chairperson of PB ESI for the 2024-2029 Period.
In his remarks, Budi Gunawan (BG) said that during the PB ESI management era for the 2020-2024 period, many achievements and accomplishments had been achieved, both at the national and international levels.
“This is the result of the hard work of Indonesia’s esports diplomacy, which is increasingly recognized as a global force,” said Budi Gunawan.
Budi Gunawan also stated that as a new sport in Indonesia, e-sports has shown significant development. In addition, there is international recognition of PB ESI as the only official e-sports parent organization representing Indonesia in the international e-sports federation.
“Data from 2024 shows that the e-sports audience has reached more than 577 million people. We have succeeded in changing society’s negative views about games. Now playing games can be a promising career choice, because it does make money and achieve at the international level,” said Budi Gunawan.
In addition, one thing to be proud of is that amidst the world’s geopolitical tensions, e-sports has played a unifying role. The e-sports community has united various cultures and backgrounds in one platform.
“The existence of online communities and streaming services has created a new form of entertainment for the young generation of Indonesia who are connected to the global youth community,” said Budi Gunawan.
During this period, he hopes that the new management will continue its commitment to achieving more international achievements, while strengthening and developing the e-sports ecosystem at the national level.
“Thank you for your support, hard work, dedication, and extraordinary contribution to building the esports ecosystem in the country. We also hope that the new management will continue to support the development of local games,” he said.
In the same place, Deputy Chairman III of KONI, Major General TNI (ret.) Andri Sutarno said that for the first time in history, esports has succeeded in making history at PON XXI Aceh-North Sumatra in 2024. This is a witness to the rise of the Indonesian gaming industry where esports presents one of the local games, namely battle of guardians.
“This is an achievement of PB ESI under the leadership of General Budi Gunawan as the first general chairman in the history of PB ESI. I express my highest appreciation to Mr. Budi Gunawan and his staff, especially PB ESI for the 2020-2024 period who have advanced the history of esports in the country,” said Andri.
He hopes that the solidity of the administrators at the national, provincial, regional and community levels must continue to be improved through inclusive collaboration programs. Hopefully the Rakornas and Musornas will run smoothly and produce the best programs for Indonesia’s esports achievements.
“With this national coordination meeting, it is hoped that an evaluation will emerge so that Indonesia can achieve more in addition to improving the esports industry and achievements in the country,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Expert Staff for Sports Culture of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Dr. Ir. Hamka Hendra Noer, M.Si. said that esports has registered itself as a sport that is competed in international sporting events from the 2019 Manila Sea Games as an exhibition to the 2021 Vietnam Sea Games and the 2023 Cambodia Sea Games.
“As an official branch competing for medals, Indonesian esports continues to show extraordinary achievements, especially at the 2023 Cambodia Sea Games, and succeeded in emerging as the overall champion of the esports branch,” he said.
He also appreciated the proud achievements made by the Indonesian National Esports Team under the management of PB ESI 2020-2024, which was led by Police General (Ret.) Prof. Dr. Budi Gunawan.
“It is hoped that this achievement can continue and even shine even brighter in the next PB ESI management period. We also hope that Mr. Budi Gunawan can be re-elected,” concluded Hamka.
For your information, in the 2022 international esports world championship in Bali, Indonesia emerged as the champion. This is proof that the management of PB ESI under the leadership of Budi Gunawan has succeeded in carrying out coaching to achieve maximum achievements. [*]