Going independently, PB PI uses Asian Games as proving ground

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian Padel Association (PB PI) Mochtar Sarman revealed that the organisation is treating the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya Prefecture, Japan, as a proving ground to demonstrate that Indonesian padel can achieve success at Asia’s largest sporting event.

Mochtar made the statement after confirming that Indonesian padel will travel independently, using federation funds and sponsorship for the 2026 Asian Games.

“Alhamdulillah, praise God, our federation has received support from the private sector, one of which is from Freeport. So we hope to send a full team, not just players but also coaching staff,” Mochtar said when met by journalists at the Padel Unity Cup 2026 Vol. 01 tournament in South Jakarta on Saturday.

“We have to prove ourselves first, to be fair, we have to prove to the Ministry of Youth and Sports that padel can contribute medals. Otherwise, it would be difficult for us to keep asking,” he added.

Padel itself will be contested for the first time at the Asian Games after the decision was announced in November last year, following a meeting between International Padel Federation (FIP) President Luigi Carraro and Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Director General Husain Al Musallam in Kuwait.

Indonesia, as part of padel’s debut at the Asian Games, plans to send two men’s teams and two women’s teams. The athletes will be accompanied by four coaching staff members led by coach Ari Moya.

“Earlier, four men and four women. So two teams,” Mochtar said regarding the number of athletes being sent to the 2026 Asian Games.

“Perhaps around four coaching staff, and there is also a manager,” he added, referring to the total number of team personnel being dispatched.