The game of dominoes, long associated with coffee shop culture, is now embarking on a new chapter toward recognition as a competitive achievement sport. Through the integration of sport science, dominoes are being positioned as a mind sport requiring logical sharpness, strategy, and emotional control, on par with chess and bridge.
This strategic step was marked by a National Seminar held at the State University of Jakarta (UNJ) on June 26, 2026. During the forum, UNJ's Faculty of Sports Science and Health (FIKK) and the Executive Board of the Indonesian Domino Sports Association (PB PORDI) officially established a partnership to strengthen the sport's scientific foundation, ranging from curriculum development to cognitive behavior research of athletes.
Dean of FIKK UNJ, Prof. Nofi Marlina Siregar, emphasized that the involvement of higher education institutions is crucial for fostering innovation in athlete development. According to her, the multidisciplinary aspects of dominoes, such as sports psychology and health, hold great potential to be systematically developed to enhance human resources quality in Indonesia.
Echoing this sentiment, the General Chairman of PB PORDI, Andi Jamaro Dulung, stressed the importance of shifting public stigma surrounding dominoes. The sport is not merely a game of chance, but an activity that sharpens analytical skills and social interaction. Clinically, health practitioners state that the game is beneficial for maintaining cognitive function through sustained concentration exercises.
Efforts to institutionalize dominoes also received normative support. PB PORDI confirmed the view of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), which stated that dominoes are permissible as long as they are played without gambling or betting elements. This affirmation serves as an important catalyst to clear dominoes' image from negative social practices.
Moving forward, PB PORDI plans to expand its organizational structure to regional levels and increase standardized official competitions. Through a research-based approach and professional governance, dominoes are expected to transform into a competitive sport that makes a tangible contribution to national athletic achievement toward Golden Indonesia 2045.
