UIN Public Relations – UIN Sultan Maulana Hasanuddin Banten, through its Tapak Suci Student Activity Unit (UKM), collaborated with the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) to successfully host a pencak silat event titled the Maulana Hasanuddin Championship (MHC) 2026. This prestigious event was held over three days, from September 25 to 27, 2026, at the campus Convention Hall, as part of a series of celebrations marking the 64th anniversary of UIN Sultan Maulana Hasanuddin Banten and the 81st anniversary of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI).
The opening ceremony of this championship was a lively event attended by the Vice Rector III, the Head of the AUPK Bureau, the Head of the Banten Province Youth and Sports Agency (Kadispora), the Chair of the Banten Province IPSI, representatives from the Serang City Police Department, as well as thousands of participants and supporters from various regions.
In his opening remarks, Executive Chairman M. Fadlan Al-Fahrezi noted a significant surge in participation at this year’s event. A total of 1,180 athletes took part in the championship, a sharp increase from the previous edition, which drew approximately 800 participants.
“The number of participants in this year’s MHC championship reached 1,180, divided into 1,062 participants in the competition category and 112 participants in the arts category. ”The participants came from various educational levels, ranging from elementary school, junior high school, and high school (or equivalent) to college students,” said Fadlan in front of thousands of attendees.
He also expressed his deep appreciation to all those who contributed to the event’s success, while urging all the teams to uphold the values of sportsmanship during their competitions at the UIN Sultan Maulana Hasanuddin Banten campus.
In line with this, Suswandi, a representative of the Tapak Suci Alumni Association (IKA), praised the cross-sectoral collaboration that took place during this third championship, particularly the full support provided by the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) through the 0602/Serang Military District Command (Kodim). According to him, this strategic collaboration has injected new energy into the development of pencak silat athletes in Banten.
“In the past, we relied solely on the university’s reputation without this level of support. Now, thanks to our collaboration with the District Military Commander, we can even compete for the District Military Commander’s Cup. This is an extraordinary achievement,” said Suswandi.
Furthermore, he urged all young athletes to always prioritize humility and mental fortitude. In his view, true victory is not about defeating one’s opponent, but rather the ability to control one’s desires and emotions.
The Vice Rector III of UIN Sultan Maulana Hasanuddin Banten, Dr. Dedi Sunardi, M.H., emphasized in his remarks that pencak silat is a noble cultural heritage of the Indonesian nation that has been recognized internationally. Therefore, it is our shared responsibility to nurture, preserve, and cultivate talented young athletes through ongoing training programs.
“Pencak silat is a traditional Indonesian martial art that is now contested in international competitions. We hope this championship will not only serve as a competitive arena but also as a strategic platform for identifying new athletic talent who can eventually enhance the university’s achievements and bring honor to the nation,” Dedi emphasized.
Representatives from Kodim 0602/Serang, on behalf of the Kodim Commander, Major Uum Nugraha, also emphasized the importance of character building and discipline through martial arts. They urged the athletes to compete fairly, respect their opponents, and view each match as an opportunity to build mental strength and camaraderie.
Meanwhile, the Chair of the Banten Province IPSI, Ajat Sudrajat, S.Pd., also offered words of encouragement to all the competing athletes. He emphasized that participants should always view the 2026 MHC as an opportunity to test their abilities in a sporting manner, compete in the spirit of goodwill, and foster friendship among silat schools throughout the Banten region.
The official opening ceremony featured a speech and a tour by the Head of the Banten Province Youth and Sports Agency (Kadispora), Dr. H. Ahmad Syaukani, M.Si. In his remarks, he highlighted the commitment of the central and local governments to promoting pencak silat on the global stage, including through training programs at student training centers and long-term planning for future national sporting events, such as the 2032 PON.
“The government remains committed to improving sports services and performance, particularly in pencak silat, which is now gaining global recognition. ”To all of you, maintain sportsmanship and use this championship as a stepping stone to advance to higher-level competitions, such as the Student and College Sports Weeks, and to prepare for the 2032 National Sports Week (PON),” concluded Ahmad Syaukani before officially opening the tournament.
The post Fostering a Spirit of Sportsmanship: Thousands of High School and College Students Participate in the 2026 MHC Pencak Silat Championship first appeared on Spirituality, Intellectuality, Professionalism.
