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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 by acclamation at the National Sports Conference (Musornas) and National Coordination Meeting (Rakornas) of PB ESI at the InterContinental.
In his remarks, Budi Gunawan explained that during the PB ESI management for the 2020-2024 period, Indonesian esports athletes had made a number of achievements in the international arena such as the 2021 Vietnam SEA Games and the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games.
“In both events, the Indonesian esports team managed to contribute a total of five gold medals, five silver medals, and one bronze medal,” he said.
Budi Gunawan also emphasized that esports has now become a rapidly growing global phenomenon, with an audience of more than 577 million people by 2024.
“Esports is no longer viewed negatively as just a game, but has become a branch of sport that produces international achievements while providing promising career opportunities,” said Budi.
Budi also explained that under his leadership, PB ESI has succeeded in forming a strong ecosystem such as the recognition of esports as a competitive sport in Law Number 11 of 2022 concerning Sports.
“We have also successfully organized various national and international esports tournaments, including the KONI Cup, the National Esports League, and international events such as the 2022 IESF world championship in Bali, where Indonesia was not only the overall champion but also an extraordinary host,” added Budi.
Budi Gunawan also expressed his hope that the next PB ESI management period will continue its commitment to achieving more international achievements, as well as supporting the development of local games such as “Lokapala” and “Battle of Guardians.”
Meanwhile, Deputy Chairman III of KONI, Major General TNI Purn Andri Sutarno, who was present representing the Chairman of KONI, also gave his appreciation to PB ESI and Budi Gunawan for their great contribution in advancing esports in Indonesia. “Esports has recorded a new history in the 2024 Aceh-North Sumatra PON by competing for medals in the largest national sporting event. This is real proof that the progress of esports under Budi Gunawan’s leadership is worthy of being continued,” said Andri.
In the same place, the Expert Staff for Sports Culture of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Dr. Ir. Hamka Hendra Noer, M.Sc., also expressed his belief that under Budi Gunawan’s leadership, Indonesian esports will be even more successful.
“We hope that PB ESI under Budi Gunawan’s leadership will continue to record brilliant achievements and bring Indonesia’s name to a greater level in the international arena,” he said.
With the re-election of Budi Gunawan as the General Chairperson of PB ESI, it is hoped that the development of Indonesian esports will be increasingly rapid and will be able to bring the name of the nation to the international arena, as well as provide pride for all Indonesian people.
