500 athletes take part in second Indonesia Sports and Arts Festival in Kuwait
PORSENI 2026 turns the sporting event into a celebration of community, culture and connection.
The second edition of Indonesia’s Sports and Arts Festival (PORSENI 2026) has brought together nearly 500 Indonesian athletes and participants in Kuwait, turning sporting the competition into a celebration of community, culture and connection.
Organized by the Embassy of Indonesia in Kuwait in cooperation with the Indonesian Diaspora Network in Kuwait, the festival runs from September 11 to 25 as part of celebrations marking the 81st anniversary of Indonesia’s independence.
Indonesian Ambassador to Kuwait H.E. Lena Maryana highlighted the festival’s role in bringing members of the community together, saying it strengthens participation, communication and solidarity among Indonesians living in Kuwait.
The envoy said the Indonesian community, which numbers more than 6,000 people, forms an active part of Kuwaiti society. Many have spent much of their lives in Kuwait and work across vital sectors including healthcare, oil and gas, hospitality and manufacturing. The ambassador also expressed the Indonesian government’s appreciation for Kuwait’s efforts to support and protect Indonesian citizens living in the country, praising the care, cooperation and attention extended to the community.
23 teams, 15 sporting and artistic categories
The festival opened at the Al-Sahel Sports Center in Abu Al-Hasaniya, drawing around 600 people for the opening ceremony and creating a lively setting that reflected the community’s cultural diversity and spirit of solidarity.
The opening featured dance and artistic performances by Indonesian community groups, followed by presentations from the organizing committee and the Indonesian Diaspora Network, before Ambassador Mariana officially declared the second edition of PORSENI open.
Competition features 23 teams and groups representing different Indonesian communities across Kuwait, with around 500 men and women taking part in 15 sporting and artistic categories. The program includes tennis, padel, badminton, volleyball, futsal, chess and singing, alongside other sporting and artistic competitions.
Competition across Kuwait
The festival is being staged at several venues across Kuwait between September 11 and 25. Following the opening at Al-Sahel Sports Center, competitions are also being held at Hubara Complex in Ahmadi, the Indonesian Embassy in Daiya, Cosmo Entertainment in Kaifan, Al-Qadsia Tennis Club in Hawally, Padel Yard, Palazzo, Green Island and Al-Shabab Badminton Court in Ahmadi.
According to the festival schedule, competitions continue on September 12, 15, 18, 19, 22 and 23, leading to the closing events on September 25 at Green Island and Al-Shabab Badminton Court.
More than a sporting tournament, PORSENI is designed as a meeting point between competition, artistic expression and Indonesian culture. Through shared activities, the festival seeks to strengthen friendships and communication within the community while creating a space where sporting spirit and cultural identity can meet.
Held as part of Indonesia’s 81st Independence Day celebrations, the festival also seeks to highlight community solidarity, sportsmanship, creativity and cultural diversity, while strengthening the Indonesian community’s social connections and presence in Kuwait.
