The Indonesian Lion Dance Federation (PB FOBI) has successfully hosted the first-ever World Lion and Dragon Dance Championship in Indonesia. The 1st FOBI World Lion and Dragon Dance Championship 2024 was officially opened by President Joko Widodo’s Special Staff, Grace Natalie, on May 17, 2024, at Britama Arena Mahaka Square, Kelapa Gading, Jakarta.
The championship featured 10 participating countries with approximately 550 athletes from international clubs, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam, China, Taiwan, Thailand, Australia, and host nation Indonesia, which fielded 180 athletes.
This prestigious tournament awarded three different trophies, each representing a distinct category:
- The President’s Cup – awarded for Southern Lion Dance (Barongsai) competitions.
- The Minister of Youth and Sports Cup – awarded for Northern Lion Dance (Pekingsai) competitions.
- The Minister of Defense Cup – awarded for Dragon Dance (Laga Naga) competitions.
High Praise from National Sports Leaders
Chairman of the Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI), Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Marciano Norman, expressed his appreciation for FOBI’s efforts in hosting this international event while also emphasizing the importance of athletic achievements alongside organizing excellence.
“Highest appreciation and respect for PB FOBI, which has worked tirelessly to gain international trust in hosting this competition. At the same time, we must also demonstrate the achievements of our athletes, not just our ability as hosts,”said Marciano Norman, who was on an official visit to Medan.
During the official opening, KONI Vice Chairman V, Drs. Tursandi Alwi, represented the KONI Chairman and delivered a speech on his behalf.
“I appreciate PB FOBI for successfully organizing the 1st FOBI World Lion and Dragon Dance Championship 2024. This is the first-ever World Lion Dance Championship in Indonesia, with athletes competing for the President’s Cup, the Minister of Youth and Sports Cup, and the Minister of Defense Cup,” said Tursandi Alwi.
He also urged that this world-class competition set a new benchmark for Indonesian lion dance competitions, particularly with the upcoming PON XXI Aceh-Sumut 2024, where lion dance will debut as an official sport.
“We must continue to build upon this championship so that by PON XXI Aceh-Sumut, our performance quality is on par with world championships. Use this experience wisely and uphold sportsmanship in competition,” he added.
A Historic Milestone for Lion Dance in Indonesia
The 1st FOBI World Championship 2024 marks a historic moment for Indonesian lion dance, as it is the first international competition held since FOBI became a KONI member on February 20, 2013.
FOBI Chairman Edy Kusuma emphasized that this event reflects FOBI’s continuous improvement, drawing insights from previous international competitions to ensure high-quality judging and organization.
“We have evaluated and learned from past world championships we participated in. For this event, we ensured the presence of 13 internationally certified judges to maintain the highest standards,” said Edy Kusuma.
Indonesia: The Only Country Recognizing Lion Dance as a Competitive Sport
Indonesia holds the distinction of being the only country that officially recognizes lion dance as a competitive sport, highlighting the importance of structured training and performance evaluation.
Indonesian lion dance athletes have also demonstrated strong international performances. Most recently, Indonesia secured second place in the Taolu Free Routine category at the 1st Chinese Cultural Cup Lion Dance Competition in Hong Kong in April 2024.
The competition featured participants from China, Indonesia, France, Malaysia, and Thailand, with China taking first place and Hong Kong placing third.
With the successful hosting of the 1st FOBI World Championship, Indonesia has cemented its reputation as a global powerhouse in lion and dragon dance sports.
