MilkLife Athletics Challenge Expands Regenerative Chain
JAKARTA - The Bakti Olahraga Djarum Foundation and MilkLife have decided to increase the number of age groups in the implementation of the MilkLife Athletics Challenge Series I 2026. This decision was made with the aim of expanding the athletic regeneration chain from the grassroots level.
The MilkLife Athletics Challenge Series I 2026, which was held thanks to a collaboration with the Indonesian All-Athletics Association (PASI) Kudus Regency, took place on July 15-18, 2026 at the Supersoccer Arena, Kudus, Central Java. This competition was attended by 2,270 students from the Kudus area and its surroundings.
Welly Arisanto as Deputy Program Manager of the Bakti Olahraga Djarum Foundation said that the addition of the eight-year-old age group in this year's implementation was carried out so that coaching could begin as early as possible.
"In the golden age of children, their motor coordination is developing rapidly and we are facilitating them to get to know the athletic foundation through a competitive way, but still fun," he said in an official statement received.
A total of five age groups competed this year, namely the eight-year-old age group (KU), the 10-year-old age group, the 12-year-old age group, the 15-year-old age group, and the 18-year-old age group.
They competed in the 40 meter run, 60 meter run, 80 meter run, 100 meter run, 400 meter run, 800 meter run, 1000 meter run, 1500 meter run, 2000 meter sprint, 3000 meter sprint, 8 x 50 meter mixed relay run, 5 x 80 meter relay run, 4 x 100 meter relay run, 4 x 400 meter mixed relay run, kanga's escape, formula 1, frog jump, turbo throw, long jump, shot put, high jump, javelin throw, and discus throw.
Welly added that in addition to expanding the age segmentation, innovations were also made in terms of variations in the number of races which focused more on developing basic talent by including prestigious numbers such as short-distance running (sprint) and high jump.
"We want participants to focus on athletic numbers that are adaptive and in accordance with their growth and development so that the talent search process runs more safely and purposefully," he said.
This event, which combines the concept of competition and educational fun games, has proven effective in attracting the interest of thousands of students from various levels of schools. This competition is no longer just a stage for introducing athletic sports, but has transformed into a warehouse for the cultivation of potential athletes.
Firdaus as the Chairman of the Indonesian All-Athletics Association (PASI) Kudus said that early athletics training in Central Java continues to show promising graphs along with the routine implementation of the MilkLife Atletics Challenge since 2024.
"The development of the quality of children from series to series is extraordinary. Regular competitions like this have managed to change the view that athletics is scary, into a fun adventure for schoolchildren," he said.
The implementation of the MilkLife Athletics Challenge Series I 2026 produced MTsN 1 Kudus as the overall champion in the 15-year-old age group (seven gold, three silver, and two bronze). This result makes them successful in defending the title won last year.
One of the Kudus athletes who caught the attention was Adyatama Fawwaz Oktoraza who competed in the 18-year-old KU. He successfully took the highest podium in the prestigious men's 400 meter race and also contributed as the last runner in his school's victory in the 4 x 400 mixed relay.
Meanwhile, the overall champion in KU 10 was MI Nu Imaduddin Hadiwarno A (three gold medals), SD Unggulan Muslimat NU emerged as the overall champion in KU 12 years (three gold and two bronze), and SMA NU Al Ma'ruf Kudus was the overall champion in KU 18 years (six gold, four silver, two bronze).