Indonesia sends padel team to Spain ahead of Asian Games debut

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia is sending eight padel athletes to Spain for an intensive training camp as part of its final preparations for the 2026 Asian Games, where the racket sport will make its official debut.

The 2026 Asian Games, scheduled from September 19 to October 4 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, marks a major milestone for padel in the region as it joins the continental multisport event for the first time.

Chairman of the Indonesian Padel Association (PBPI) Galih Dimuntur Kartasasmita announced Thursday that the squad—consisting of two primary pairs and two reserve pairs—is scheduled to depart for Spain around July 25, subject to visa approvals.

The primary women’s doubles pairing features Novela Putria and Beatrice Gumulya, backed by reserves Fitriani Sabatini and Fadona Kusuma.

The primary men's doubles lineup consists of Armando Soemarno and Valentinus Dyas, with Alvin Edison and Giorgio Soemarno named as reserves.

"We aim to maximize their time there until September 15, which leaves a very tight window before the Games in Nagoya," Kartasasmita told reporters in Jakarta.

While in Spain, the Indonesian athletes will spar with European competitors, including members of the Italian national team who are also training there.

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Before heading to Europe, the Indonesian squad will hold a domestic exhibition series against Kazakhstan, which has sent a full 10-man roster to a tournament in nearby Banten Province.

The rigorous preparation comes ahead of a packed international schedule. Immediately after the Asian Games, the team will compete in the Padel World Cup Qualifiers, aiming for a spot in the finals scheduled for early November.

Because padel is a newly introduced sport at the Asian Games, Kartasasmita refrained from setting a specific medal target for Nagoya.

However, he expressed optimism for the women's division in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, noting their bronze-medal finish at the 2025 FIP Asia Cup.

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Translator: Zaro Ezza Syachniar, Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono

Editor: Rahmad Nasution

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