NTB Has Potential to Become National Horseback Archery Centre, Says Pordasi

The Chairperson of the Central Board of the Indonesian Equestrian Federation for Horseback Archery (PP Pordasi Berkuda Memanah), Triwatty Marciano, stated that West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) has significant potential to develop into a national centre for horseback archery. “NTB’s main strength lies in the abundant availability of local horses and a deeply rooted equestrian tradition within the community,” Triwatty said after inaugurating the NTB Horseback Archery Pordasi Board for the 2026-2030 period in Mataram on Saturday. The inauguration was also attended by the Chairperson of the Central Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI Pusat) Marciano Norman, Chairperson of KONI NTB and member of the Indonesian House of Representatives Mori Hanafi, along with other sports officials and local government representatives. According to Triwatty, NTB possesses assets that are difficult for other regions to match, particularly the availability of quality local horses and a pool of athletes emerging from the horse racing tradition. She noted that the young jockeys, who have become icons of NTB horse racing, have great potential to be developed into horseback archery athletes. “We can develop these young jockey athletes and then train their archery skills. Horses are also readily available because NTB is one of the nation’s horse repositories. This is a tremendous asset,” Triwatty remarked. Triwatty added that Pordasi is currently running a national programme to elevate the value and quality of regional horses so they can compete at both national and international levels. “Our central programme is to develop horses in the regions so that the value of local horses increases, breeders gain economic benefits, and regional horses become more widely recognised, not only in NTB but also nationally,” she said. Pordasi, Triwatty continued, is committed to providing greater opportunities for local horses in various national events, including the National Games (PON). She stated that the horse racing discipline at the upcoming PON, to be held in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), will feature more classes using regional horses. “Since four years ago, I have promised to elevate regional horses. For the next PON, the majority of horses competing will be regional horses. This is an aspiration from the regions that want local horses to have the opportunity to perform at the national level,” Triwatty said. She added that this policy will provide a major advantage for NTB, which has long been known as one of the national horse breeding centres. With the combination of local horses, a strong equestrian culture, and an abundance of young jockeys, she is optimistic that NTB can develop into a talent pool for Indonesian horseback archery athletes. “In my opinion, NTB is very potential to become one of the national talent pools for horseback archery athletes. The assets are already there; it is just the coaching that needs to be strengthened,” she said. To that end, Triwatty also emphasised that the construction of sports facilities is an initial step that must be taken to support sustainable athlete development. Once facilities are available, coaching will be directed towards developing athletes, horses, and increasing the capacity of coaches and officials. “We will cooperate with the provincial and district governments to prepare facilities and infrastructure. God willing, tomorrow we will inspect the horse racing venue assisted by the Regent of Central Lombok as part of the preparations for PON 2028,” she said.