Tim Gateball Papua Raih Emas di Kejurnas 2026
CIBUBUR, PERGATSI – Papua’s gateball team won a gold medal at the 2026 National Gateball Championship, held at the National Sports Hospital (RSON) Field in Cibubur, East Jakarta.
Despite sending only nine athletes and three officials to compete in five events, the Papua contingent demonstrated its competitiveness, advancing to the top position in one event and securing the championship title.
Chairman of the Papua Provincial Executive Board of the Indonesian Gateball Association (Pengprov Pergatsi Papua), Edu M.P. Sasarari, said the achievement was the result of teamwork, strong unity among athletes, and a shared determination to deliver their best performance. He expressed his gratitude that the Papua contingent was able to bring home a gold medal from the championship, held from October 20–24, 2026.
“We came with nine athletes and three officials and competed in five events. Of those five, one advanced all the way to win a gold medal. We prayed and worked hard to give our best, and God granted us the opportunity to become champions,” Edu said in Cibubur on Saturday (October 24, 2026).
Motivation for Future Achievements
According to Edu, the achievement serves as motivation for the Papua team to continue improving its skills and preparing for upcoming competitions. He emphasized that the victory should not lead the athletes to become complacent but should instead serve as a foundation for achieving even better results.
“We hope to remain optimistic. God willing, we will achieve even better results in the future,” he said.
One of Papua’s strengths was evident in the mixed triple event. Four players representing the team in this event—Pandi Potabuga, Christina Ruwihastuti, Randi Saputra Adinata, and Iverson Alfred Manderos—work at the Papua Road Agency. Their shared workplace has helped them maintain strong team cohesion.
“Because they work at the Papua Road Agency, they can still manage their time to get together and play with one another. This helps maintain and strengthen their team cohesion,” Edu explained.
He added that team unity was an important asset for Papua in facing competition at the national level. The athletes participating in the championship had developed close relationships through working in the same office environment at the Road Agency, giving them opportunities to build camaraderie and practice together.
Strengthening Communication and Teamwork
This sense of togetherness has helped the athletes develop effective communication and coordination during matches. According to Edu, their teamwork must continue to be strengthened to ensure the team is better prepared to face its opponents.
He also considered the experience gained at the 2026 National Gateball Championship valuable for evaluating the athletes’ abilities, particularly in improving consistency across the events they enter.
Looking ahead, the Papua Provincial Executive Board of Pergatsi will prepare its athletes for upcoming competitions, including the 2027 National Sports Week Pre-Qualification (Prapon) and the 2028 National Sports Week (PON). Edu affirmed Papua’s readiness to participate in these events, regardless of where they are held.
“We will prepare for the events in which we have the greatest strengths for Prapon 2027 and PON 2028. Wherever the championships are held, we are ready to participate,” he said.
According to Edu, continuous preparation is essential to improving the athletes’ performance and maintaining Papua’s competitiveness. Evaluations from the 2026 National Championship will form part of this process, ensuring that the team relies not only on cohesion but also develops greater technical proficiency and competitive experience.
The gold medal won in Cibubur provides a valuable foundation for the continued development of gateball athletes in Papua. (PAH/ROY)
