JAKARTA The plan to convert the Pilar Football Field in RW 03 Kedoya Selatan, Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta, to become a padel arena triggered strong resistance from local residents. They assess that the presence of the padel not only threatens the people's sports space, but also reflects inequality in access to public facilities.
"Padel is a middle and upper class sport. Not for the people like us," said Iskandar (45), a resident of RT 05 RW 03 quoted from ANTARA, Friday, July 25, 2025.
According to Iskandar, the football field is the only sports space owned by residents. The conversion of field functions into a padel arena will cut off people's access to daily physical activities that have been open and inclusive.
"If this is used as a padel, where will we continue to exercise? The padel field near here also exists, why should we take this one?" he added.
The refusal also came from among mothers. Herni (43), another resident, said that her husband, who works as a football coach, relies on the field as a source of income.
'This is not only about entertainment or sports, but also about livelihoods. If the field is lost, what does my husband do?' he said.
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He also mentioned that local football tournaments are regularly held on the field, which is an annual gathering and entertainment event for residents of RW 03.
Monitoring at the location on Thursday afternoon showed the activities of residents still ongoing in the field. On the outside of the field wall, a number of rejection murals decorate the walls.
Writings like 'Padel is not my style,' 'Olahraga doesn't just belong to the rich,' and 'Small people need fun space' to be an expression of residents' anxiety over projects that are considered not in favor of community needs.
In the field, the rejection banners have been installed as a form of resistance to projects they value elitistly and ignore the aspirations of the local community.
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