National Sepak Takraw League Starts July 2026, PB PSTI Bidik Talenta Best from All Indonesia
JAKARTA - The Indonesian Sepak Takraw Association (PB PSTI) continues to strengthen the national sepak takraw sports training system through the launch of the 2026 National Sepak Takraw League as well as international referee training and certification programs.
The General Chair of the PB PSTI, H. Suryanto, S.Ag., M.M., said that these two programs were strategic steps to recruit potential athletes as well as improve the quality of human resources in the field of surveillance.
"We continue to implement the organization's work program, one of which is through the implementation of the National Sepak Takraw League as a sustainable athlete training platform," said Suryanto.
This was conveyed by Suryanto accompanied by the Secretary General of the PB PSTI, Prof. Dr. H. Nukhrawi Nawir, M.Kes., AIFO, and several PB PSTI managers, while accompanying the delegation of the President of ASTAF and ISTAF Secretary General, Datuk Abdul Halim Kader, to visit the Faculty of Physical and Health Sciences (FIKK) of the State University of Jakarta (UNJ), Tuesday (9/6/2026).
According to Suryanto, the National Sepak Takraw League will be held in five regional zones which include Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and Papua. The opening series is scheduled to take place on July 1, 2026 in East Java.
The PB PSTI hopes that the competition will be able to become a means of structured athlete training, as well as expanding the popularity of the sport of sepak takraw in various regions.
In the near future, the PSTI also works with the Asian Sepaktakraw Federation (ASTAF) and the International Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF) to organize international referee training and certification programs.
The program is targeted to involve participants from across Indonesia with representation from 38 provinces, where each region will send three referee candidates to undergo training and certification.
"We want to produce Indonesian referees who have international competence and certification so that they can serve in various world championships," said Suryanto.
To support this program, PB PSTI is exploring cooperation with the State University of Jakarta in providing facilities, training facilities, and academic support for the development of national sepak takraw sports.
In the same place, the President of ASTAF and Secretary General of ISTAF, Datuk Abdul Halim Kader, appreciated the various programs carried out by the PB PSTI under the leadership of Suryanto.
According to him, the steps taken by the PB PSTI show Indonesia's seriousness in building a professional and sustainable sepak takraw coaching system.
"We really appreciate the work of the PB PSTI who continue to innovate in the training of athletes and the development of organizations. ASTAF and ISTAF will continue to support every program aimed at advancing Indonesian sepak takraw," said Datuk Abdul Halim Kader.
He is optimistic that the implementation of the National League and referee certification program will produce outstanding athletes and match equipment that can compete at the international level.
Meanwhile, the Dean of the Faculty of Physical and Health Sciences of UNJ, Prof. Dr. Nofi Marlina Siregar, M.Pd., expressed his support for various development programs initiated by the PB PSTI.
According to him, universities have a strategic role in supporting the training of athletes, coaches, referees, and the development of sports management based on science.
Through the National Sepak Takraw League and the international referee certification program, the PB PSTI hopes to strengthen the foundation for the development of Indonesian sepak takraw sports as well as increase the competitiveness of national athletes in various regional and world events.
Also present at the event were Deputy Secretary of ISTAF Muhammad Taufik Halim, Deputy President of ISTAF Muhammad Fariq Abdul Halim, as well as the ranks of the national and international sepak takraw organization.