IJBA set to stage Jetsport World Championship in August

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesia Jetsport & Boating Association (IJBA) will again host the Jetsport World Championship, or the International Jetsport World Series 2026, in Ancol, Jakarta, this August. ‘This Jetsport World Championship is being designed as a major event with greater exposure to demonstrate that Indonesia is worthy of hosting the World Series for jetski,’ said IJBA Chairman Saiful Sutan Aswar at a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday. He explained the event will see jetski athletes from various countries competing in six classes: Pro Runabout GP, Pro Ski GP, Freestyle Show, Women Pro Class, and Team World Challenge. Aswar noted that Indonesia last hosted the Jetsport World Championship in 2019. However, the excitement of the event at that time had not sufficiently conveyed Indonesia’s capacity to host an international jetski event. Therefore, he said, this edition will be held more grandly through digital media promotion domestically and internationally to highlight Indonesia as a host. ‘We want to send a message that Indonesia is a suitable venue for the world championship, not only in 2026 but every year could be staged here,’ he said. Aswar explained that the World Championship will emphasise not only sport but also Indonesia’s tourist potential to help spur sport-based tourism growth in the country. He added that Indonesian athletes are being prepared for the event, including Aero Aswar and Aqsa Aswar, who have track records as world champions. Following the world championship, the IJBA will also organise a national championship to provide a platform for jetski athletes at home to compete and develop potential to represent Indonesia on the international stage. Meanwhile, Ismail Ning, Deputy Chair of the Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI), said his organisation welcomed the Jetsport World Championship in Indonesia after seven years. ‘This shows that we have an excellent jetski arena and it should be utilised to the fullest,’ he said. Ismail expressed hope that, beyond hosting, Indonesia would not merely be spectators but would also compete and achieve results. ‘When competing, it should be more than just taking part or making up the numbers; we must be capable of winning,’ he added. He also noted KOI welcomed two world-champion athletes, Aero Aswar and Aqsa Aswar, who also won gold medals at the SEA Games and Asian Games, who will participate in the championship. Ismail hopes the athletes can regain top form to strengthen Indonesia’s dominance in jetsport on the world stage and inspire new talents from Indonesia to emerge.