Sumba Island Has Great Potential as World-Class Equestrian Sport Tourism Destination
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Sumba Island in East Nusa Tenggara Province holds great potential as a world-class equestrian sports tourism destination, according to Triwatty Marciano, Chair of the Presidium of the National Confederation of the Indonesian Equestrian Sports Association (Pordasi).
“There is a strong horse-riding culture in Sumba, a community that loves equestrian sport, quality local horses, and an extraordinary natural landscape — strengths that few other regions possess,” Triwatty said in an official statement in Jakarta on Monday.
The statement was made following a visit by the national equestrian confederation to Sumba Island to inspect horse racing arenas, including venues to be used for the 2028 National Sports Week (PON).
Among the arenas visited were the Omba Calo field in Loura District, South West Sumba Regency; the Rihi Eti racecourse in Prailiu, East Sumba Regency; and the Pada Eweta racecourse in Waikabubak, West Sumba Regency.
Those three venues have been designated by the Central Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI) as arenas for the horse racing discipline at PON XXII/2028, to be hosted jointly by East and West Nusa Tenggara.
Traditional horse racing on Sumba Island stands to gain wider recognition as part of national competitive sport through the staging of multi-discipline national championships such as the PON.
Sports tourism
Beyond PON preparations, Triwatty said the “Island of a Thousand Horses” holds great potential because it combines sport, culture and natural beauty.
Horse racing has evolved into a culture blended with scenic charm, capable of attracting tourists and sports enthusiasts from across the archipelago and even abroad.
“That uniqueness gives Sumba horse racing added value beyond mere sporting competition,” she said.
She urged that the horse racing potential on Sumba Island be developed in an integrated manner so that it delivers broad benefits to the community.
Triwatty expressed hope that more championship events would be held on the island in addition to PON 2028, with the aim of expanding opportunities to improve the welfare of local communities through equestrian sports tourism.
The Pordasi National Confederation is also running its “Safe to Achieve” campaign, which places athlete protection at the heart of equestrian sport development in Indonesia.
Commitment to the campaign was demonstrated through the distribution of aid in the form of 90 domestically produced body protectors and helmets to four regency governments: East Sumba, West Sumba, Central Sumba and South West Sumba.