JAKARTA, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Young athletes of Indonesian traditional martial art, Pencak Silat, have targeted to be the champion in the World Junior Pencak Silat tournament in Thailand this month, a senior official disclosed here on Friday.

The tournament is scheduled from April 23 to 29 in Songkhla of Thailand, according to Indonesian youth and sport ministry.

"Indonesian team must set the champion target as an effort to bring back the victory of Pencak Silat as the country's traditional sport," said Raden Isnanta, senior official at the ministry.

He reminded the athletes not to underestimate opponents during the tournament which will be participated by martial art athletes from 31 countries and regions .

Indonesia will send as many as 17 young martial art athletes to compete in the third World Junior Pencak Silat tournament, said Banny Soemarsono, deputy chairman of Indonesian pencak silat association.

The Indonesian squad will participate in 17 events in the tournament, he added.