Residents Are Protested, The DKI Provincial Government Rejects Permit To Transfer Football Field Functions To A Pedel Arena

UNSPLASH/Vincenzo Morelli ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government has rejected the application for a license to transfer the function of the Kedoya Football Field, West Jakarta to be converted into a padel arena. This permit was submitted by the Benny Kusuma Bhakti Foundation.

"Of course we have discussed and we have decided not to provide recommendations for the conversion of the Kedoya Football Field," Head of the DKI Jakarta Youth and Sports Agency Andri Yansyah, Thursday, July 31.

This rejection was decided after a conflict from local residents over the discourse on land utilization into a padel field. So, to prioritize the interests of the residents, the DKI Provincial Government did not issue the permit.

"The Kedoya Football Field is currently still actively used by local residents as a function and condition as a soccer sports facility," said Andri.

Moreover, the DKI Provincial Government is currently optimizing the field in order to meet the needs of the community, especially in exercising football in open fields.

In addition, the Field, which is managed by the West Jakarta Youth and Sports Sub-dept., is also still being maintained regularly.

Since early 2025, we have continued to optimize open football fields through revitalization using synthetic grass. This is done so that it can last longer, and be resistant to intensive use and various weather conditions," he explained.

The plan to convert the football field in RW 03 Kedoya Selatan, Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta, into a padel arena triggers strong rejection from local residents. They assess that the presence of padel not only threatens the people's sports space, but also reflects inequality in access to public facilities. Live broadcast of online sports

"Padel is a middle to upper class sport. Not for the people like us," said Iskandar (45), a resident of RT 05 RW 03.

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.

On the outside of the field wall, there were also a number of murals of rejection of the discourse on land conversion to 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.