Jakarta \u2014 The Indonesia Pickleball Federation (IPF) continues to\nintensify the socialisation of pickleball across the archipelago. The\nsport, which is rising in popularity, is believed to have the potential\nto contribute medals for Indonesia if officially contested at the SEA\nGames 2027 in Malaysia.<\/p>\n
Harlin Rahardjo, the IPF\u2019s Vice Chairman, assessed that the\nopportunity for pickleball to appear in Malaysia is quite open. Although\nthe official decision has not been announced, he is optimistic that the\nhost nation has an interest in including the sport in the competition\nlist.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe decision hasn\u2019t been made yet, but looking at Malaysia\u2019s\nstrength in pickleball, they would certainly want to play it. Moreover,\nhosts usually have the right to decide which sports are contested,\u201d said\nHarlin at the Pickleball VATA Courts, Kemang, South Jakarta, on Tuesday,\n3 February 2026.<\/p>\n
According to him, besides Malaysia, Vietnam is a main rival in\nSoutheast Asia. Nevertheless, Indonesia is believed to be able to\ncompete.<\/p>\n
\u201cMalaysia and Vietnam are indeed stronger, but for medals we\u2019re\nconfident we can win. At present, there are our athletes who regularly\nparticipate in a number of international tournaments,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Development and facility expansion<\/p>\n
Domestically, the PB IPF continues to widen the training base.\nThroughout 2025, a number of national championships and student\ntournaments were held with support from universities. Socialisation is\nalso carried out to various communities by expanding training\nfacilities.<\/p>\n
VATA, one of the drivers of facility development, plans to reopen\nsport centres at two locations, namely Jakarta and West Java. In the\nPengadegan area, Pancoran, South Jakarta, five pickleball courts will be\nbuilt, claimed to be among the largest in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Additionally, Nikavata Sports Lab will be built in Cibubur, Kota\nWisata. The sports complex is designed as a integrated sport precinct\nequipped with two pickleball courts, two tennis courts, two padel\ncourts, a swimming pool, and gym facilities.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/optimistic-about-competing-at-the-sea-games-2027-ipf-intensifies-pickleball-socialisation-1772578662", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }