Budi Gunawan’s Leadership at PB ESI Continues: Indonesian Esports is Ready to Rock the World!
Jakarta – The continuity of the leadership of the Indonesian Esports Executive Board (PB ESI) was created with the re-election of the Head of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) General of Police (Ret.) Prof. Dr. Budi Gunawan, SH, M.Sc., Ph.D., PSM, for the 2024-2029 period. In the National Sports Conference and National Coordination Meeting held at the Grand Ballroom InterContinental Jakarta on Sunday (6/10), the election was carried out by acclamation, showing the unanimous support of the Chairmen of the PB ESI Provinces. The success of his previous leadership in accelerating the growth of esports in the country was the main reason the Chairmen of the PB ESI Provinces agreed to entrust this position again to Budi Gunawan for the next five years.
Budi Gunawan appreciated his reappointment as the General Chairperson of PB ESI. He also highlighted the rapid development of esports in Indonesia. “Esports as a new sport has shown significant progress. The ecosystem formed in Indonesia has succeeded in changing the negative public view of games into a promising career opportunity,” said Budi Gunawan. He also added that e-sports is now not just entertainment, but can also be a career choice for athletes who want to excel, both at the national and international levels.
Under Budi Gunawan’s leadership, PB ESI has recorded various important achievements. One of the major achievements that has been realized is including esports as a branch of competitive sports in Law Number 11 of 2022 concerning Sports. In addition, PB ESI has also succeeded in expanding esports organizations throughout Indonesia to reach 9,280 members spread from the central to district levels.
In addition to its success in strengthening the organizational structure, PB ESI has also succeeded in achieving achievements in international events, one of which was when Indonesia became the overall champion of esports at the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games. “This achievement shows how great Indonesia’s potential is in the international esports scene,” said Budi Gunawan.
Not only in the SEA Games, esports is also in the spotlight in the 2024 National Paralympic Week (Peparnas) which will be held in Solo, Central Java. Budi Gunawan expressed his pride that esports is part of Peparnas, providing equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of physical condition, to excel in this field. “Esports is an inclusive sport, which gives space to anyone to compete fairly,” he said.
Deputy Chairman 3 of KONI, Maj. Gen. TNI Ret. Andri Sutarno, also expressed his appreciation for Budi Gunawan’s leadership. “PON 21 is a moment of the rise of esports in Indonesia, with the appearance of a local game, Battle of Guardians, as one of the branches competed. This is an important achievement under Budi Gunawan’s leadership,” he explained.
Meanwhile, the Expert Staff for Sports Culture of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Dr. Ir. Hamka Hendra Noer, M.Sc., added that since the 2018 Asian Games, Indonesian esports has recorded important history. Esports has been recognized as an international sport in various events, including the SEA Games, which further strengthens Indonesia’s position on the world map of esports.
With the re-election of Budi Gunawan, great hopes are pinned on PB ESI to continue to encourage the development of Indonesian esports. Solidarity between central, regional, and community administrators is considered necessary to continue to be improved through collaborative programs and continuous quality competitions. “We will continue the vision to make Indonesia a global esports power,” concluded Budi Gunawan.
This National Sports Conference is also an important point for the future of Indonesian esports, which is increasingly recognized, not only as a sport, but also as an industry that has great potential in driving the digital economy and the nation’s creativity.
