Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) received a visit from the executives of the Indonesian Gymnastics Federation on Thursday (Jun. 11) at the Central Office Building.
The visit was led directly by Indonesian Gymnastics Federation Chair Ita Yuliati Irawan and accompanied by Araki Tetsuo, an international gymnastics expert specializing in the Gymnastics for All (GfA) movement. The visit was held in preparation for the 1st Asian Gym for Life Challenge, which will take place this October at UGM’s Innovation and Creativity Hub (GIK UGM).
Ita Yuliati explained that the 1st Asian Gym for Life Challenge is an international gymnastics festival featuring group gymnastics performances from participants of various age groups. Each gymnastics group will have five minutes to perform, with a focus on enjoyment and cultural exchange. She said Yogyakarta was selected as the host city to promote GfA while introducing and developing tourism centered on local culture.
“We chose Yogyakarta to strengthen tourism through Gymnastics for All,” she said.
With an event concept open to participants of all ages, Ita expects participation from gymnastics groups, schools, universities, and the general public. To date, registered participants have come from several countries, including Denmark, Sri Lanka, Japan, South Korea, Mongolia, and Malaysia. In addition, the federation hopes to encourage as many participants from Indonesia as possible.
The event will run for three days with a variety of activities open to all participants. There will also be a dedicated area featuring MSMEs under GIK’s network, traditional food stalls, and cultural performances by community groups and university students. One of the planned activities is a GfA movement workshop led by Professor Araki. Through GfA, participants can learn and practice gymnastics movements in simplified and accessible forms.
Dr. Danang Sri Hadmoko, UGM Vice Rector for Research, Business Development, and Cooperation, welcomed the upcoming event at the GIK UGM complex. He expressed full support for activities aligned with UGM’s programs promoting physical fitness and wellness. The sports facilities available at GIK are well-suited to support the upcoming festival.
“GIK has a very strong ecosystem in terms of engagement and alumni connections, which provides significant advantages for hosting large-scale events,” said Dr. Hadmoko.
Author: Jesi
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photo: Donnie