Field Hockey National Team Trials in Australia for Asian Games 2026 Preparation

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Field Hockey National Team, both for women and men, underwent a training camp and a number of trial matches in Australia as part of preparations to welcome the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.

The agenda carried out with self-funded funds is scheduled to take place on June 22-30, 2026 in Darwin, Northern Australia. In total, as many as 40 female and male athletes have been in the Kangaroo Country since last weekend.

The captain of the Indonesian Men's Field Hockey Team, Aulia Akbar Al Ardh, admitted that his team was very grateful for the commitment of the Indonesian Hockey Federation Central Management (PP FHI) who continued to prepare even with self-funded funds.

"We hope that the Government will pay attention because the focus on training and trials is very necessary to improve the quality of the game and the cohesiveness of the team," he said, quoted from an official statement received by the media.

In addition to participating in training and trial camps, a number of Indonesian players also had the opportunity to strengthen hockey clubs playing in the Australian League. A total of 11 lucky names, consisting of six girls and five boys.

Head Coach of the Indonesian Field Hockey National Team, Muhammad Dhaarma Raj, said that the golden opportunity for players to play in the Australian League is certainly very meaningful for the Indonesian National Team.

"It is very helpful because they can add flight hours and get to know the opponent's playing patterns. All of this happens because PP FHI has a good relationship with the Australian Hockey Federation," he said.

The five names of the male players who got the opportunity were Aulia Akbar Al Ardh and Revo Prialindro (Palmerston Saint HC), Suharyana (Waratah HC), Ahdan Asasi Ramadhan (Banks HC), and Abdullah Jihad Al Akbar (Commerce Pints HC).

Meanwhile, the women's players who will compete in the Australian League are Nisa Indira and Bernika Julia Mersella (Palmerston Saint HC), Lispa and Salma Maulani (Waratah HC), and Sri Rahayu and Lily Erlina Pasaribu (Banks HC).

In addition to preparing for the 2026 Asian Games, PP FHI also ensures that the Indonesian U-20 National Team will appear at the 2026 AHF Cup. The tournament will take place in Kazakhstan from June 23 to July 1, 2026.

The Secretary General of the PP FHI, Yasser Arafat Suaidy, said that sending youth athletes to the tournament was part of the regeneration program for athletes that the federation was committed to.

"So, we can prepare for regeneration in the future. Those who were netted from the 2026 junior Kejurnas have been undergoing Pelatnas since last February," he said.

The 2026 Asian Games are scheduled to take place from September 19 to October 4 in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan. There are approximately 46 countries in Asia that will compete in the four-year multi-branch sports festival.