CIBUBUR, PERGATSI – The South Kalimantan contingent advanced to the semifinals in four events at the 2026 National Gateball Championship, held at the National Sports Hospital (RSON) Field in Cibubur, East Jakarta, from October 20–24, 2026.
The achievement was supported by a structured training schedule, athlete monitoring across various tournaments, and backing from the regional association and several technical offices in South Kalimantan.
Chairman of Pergatsi South Kalimantan, Ir. Syamsul Arivin, MP, widely known as Pak Ipin, said the team had relatively little time to prepare. Nevertheless, the athletes remained enthusiastic about training, with some even traveling from their villages before dawn to attend practice sessions.
“Although the preparation period was short, everyone was very enthusiastic. Some even rode their motorcycles from their villages to the training venue at the crack of dawn,” Syamsul said during an interview on the sidelines of the 2026 National Gateball Championship.
He said Pergatsi South Kalimantan Secretary Taal played a major role in preparing the team, including coordinating training schedules. The athletes were also encouraged to give their best performances for South Kalimantan.
Syamsul reminded the athletes not to let the pressure of winning weigh on them during competition. He said the most important thing was to play to the best of their abilities and pray for a smooth performance.
“My advice to the team is not to focus on winning while playing. Instead, play as well as you can. Winning can be an ambition, but you do not need to say it out loud. Keep it in your heart and pray to God for guidance and ease,” he said.
Competing in Eight Events
At the 2026 National Gateball Championship, South Kalimantan entered eight of the 11 events contested. Of those eight, four reached the semifinals.
Syamsul said the men's doubles event had already secured a gold medal. In addition, two events had secured bronze medals, while another event was still underway to determine its final result.
At the time of the interview, the mixed team event was facing Jakarta in a quarterfinal match. Syamsul hoped the contingent would have further opportunities to increase its medal tally. The South Kalimantan team consisted of 14 athletes, one manager, one official, and one coach, Surya Hendrajaya.
Syamsul expressed his appreciation for the support provided by Pergatsi officials throughout South Kalimantan. The assistance took various forms, including financial support and meals for the contingent during the championship. He said this support reflected the collective commitment of various parties to helping South Kalimantan compete in the 2026 National Gateball Championship.
Athlete Selection
Syamsul explained that athletes representing South Kalimantan were selected through monitoring and evaluation at various tournaments. Association officials tracked players' progress in competitions held at the regency and municipal levels, as well as events organized by Pergatsi.
One of the activities used to monitor athletes was the Pergatsi South Kalimantan Chairman's Open Tournament, which attracted participants from various regencies and municipalities.
“We have a team that evaluates every tournament, whether it is held at the regency or municipal level or organized by Pergatsi itself. We frequently organize events and monitor the athletes' progress,” Syamsul said.
These competitions allow officials to assess athletes' development and use the results as a basis for evaluation. As a result, player selection is not based solely on a single trial but also takes into account performances across multiple championships.
In addition to athlete development, Pergatsi South Kalimantan has been expanding its organizational network at the regional level. Syamsul said Pergatsi chapters had been established in 12 of the province's 13 regencies and municipalities.
When the provincial leadership was inaugurated, only seven regions had established chapters. By the time of the interview, that number had increased to 12.
Playing Conditions and Competition Officials
Syamsul acknowledged that participation in the 2026 National Gateball Championship was higher than in the previous year's competition. However, he raised concerns about the condition of the playing fields.
He said the fields differed from those used in the previous Director General of Highways Cup. He observed cracks in several areas that had been filled with sand, leaving parts of the surface slightly rough and gravelly.
“The surface used to be smoother. Perhaps the weather has affected it. Some sections are cracked and have been filled with sand, making the field slightly rough,” Syamsul said.
Nevertheless, he emphasized that the field conditions were not an obstacle for his team, as all contingents competed on the same surface. Beyond the playing conditions, he also highlighted the lack of essential competition equipment. He noted that no scoreboard was available and that only one linesman was assigned to the matches.
“I noticed, and I apologize for saying this, that there was no scoreboard. Secondly, there was only one linesman. I feel sorry for them,” he said.
He added that referees, linesmen, and other match officials were among the major components of championship operations.
“One of the biggest expenses in organizing a competition is the cost of referees, linesmen, and other match officials,” he said.
Aspiring to Compete at the SEA Games and Olympics
Beyond the championship results and his observations on match organization, Syamsul expressed hope that gateball would expand its reach beyond national competitions and eventually feature at the SEA Games and the Olympic Games.
“Our hope is that gateball will not stop at the national level. Hopefully, it will be included in the SEA Games and, one day, in the Olympic Games,” he said.
Syamsul Arivin also expressed hope that high-performing athletes would have the opportunity to represent Indonesia in international competitions if gateball were included in those events. (PAH/CHI)
