Indonesia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports (Kemenpora) has expressed full support for the upcoming GAMMA World MMA Championships 2024, which will be held at the Dewa United Arena in Banten, just outside capital Jakarta.
At a press conference last week, Kemenpora reaffirmed its commitment to making this event a significant milestone in the development of national sports and in promoting Indonesia on the international stage.
The championship, which will run from December 6–14, will feature more than 50 countries, with hundreds of athletes competing in various categories.
This year’s championship is also historic as the first in GAMMA’s (Global Association of Mixed Martial Arts) history where both senior and junior athletes will compete in the same event. As host, Indonesia is committed to providing the best experience for participants and spectators.
Minister of Youth and Sports Ario Bimo Nandito Ariotedjo said: “The government expresses its appreciation to [national MMA federation] PB Pertacami for bringing Indonesia to the world stage and attracting international events to Indonesia.
“Our hope from the government is that with this World Championship held by the International Federation, GAMMA, in Indonesia, it will help Pertacami’s federation conduct scouting. Identifying potential athletes from across Indonesia to compete and be prepared for MMA events, as well as to help MMA itself become more focused and widespread in Indonesia, as MMA is a unique and rapidly developing martial arts sport.”
“This is what we convey — Indonesia must be prepared, because we are confident that in the future, MMA will dominate multi-sport events, such as the SEA Games, Asian Games, and even the Olympics, as this industry is unstoppable,” added Ariotedjo.
The chairman of PB Pertacami (Indonesian Mixed Martial Arts Association), Tommy Paulus Hermawan, appreciated Kemenpora’s support for the GAMMA World MMA Championships 2024. This support demonstrates the government’s commitment to advancing MMA as a sport in Indonesia.
“We greatly appreciate the full support from Kemenpora in organizing the GAMMA World MMA Championships 2024. This collaboration demonstrates our shared commitment to advancing sports, particularly MMA, as one of the fastest-growing sports in Indonesia,” said Hermawan.
“This championship is an important moment not only for MMA but also for introducing Indonesia as a host capable of organizing world-class events. It’s an excellent opportunity for us to promote Indonesia’s cultural richness and excellence on the international stage,” he added.
Regarding Indonesian culture, the organizers will feature traditional martial arts, namely Pencak Silat, during the opening ceremony of the GAMMA World MMA Championships 2024, which will take place on December 10.
Additionally, the organizers have chosen the one-horned rhinoceros, a characteristic animal of Banten, as the mascot for this championship. The mascot, named “BAJI,” symbolizes strength, perseverance, and resilience—qualities that are highly relevant to MMA as a sport and its athletes, who actively strive to hone their martial arts skills and demonstrate sportsmanship in competition.
Dewa United Basecamp, the venue for the GAMMA World MMA Championships 2024, can accommodate over 2,000 spectators.
