Indonesian Aquatics Forms Training Centre Squad for 2026 Asian Games Starting March

Jakarta — The First Deputy General Chair of Performance Development and Sports Science at the Indonesian Aquatics Federation (PB Akuatik Indonesia), Wisnu Wardhana, has stated that the federation is preparing to establish a national training centre squad from March to prepare for the 2026 Asian Games.

According to him, the athlete selection process for the squad commenced at the 2025 Asian Youth Games, 2025 Islamic Games, and 2025 Southeast Asian Games.

“We have submitted 18 athletes to the Sports Ministry for the training centre squad, though this number may be reduced,” said Wisnu following the conclusion of the Indonesian Aquatics Federation 2026 National Working Conference in Jakarta on Saturday.

The training centre squad is scheduled to commence administratively on 1 March, with the effective training programme beginning the following Monday at the Gelora Bung Karno Complex in Senayan, Jakarta.

He stated that of the 18 athletes submitted, several are conducting independent training abroad, including Masniari Wolf in Germany and Felix Viktor Iberle in Penang, Malaysia. Both remain on the training centre squad roster and will be monitored regularly.

Indonesian Aquatics is also planning overseas training camps, with one destination being the United States.

For coaching, the Indonesian Aquatics Federation continues to entrust the national coaching team to Albert Christiadi Sutanto and Arif Purbo Warsono. He noted that the federation has not yet planned to employ foreign coaches as the quality of existing coaches is already sufficient.

Regarding the 2026 Asian Games, he acknowledged that competition will be intense, particularly against China, South Korea, Japan, Kazakhstan and Singapore. However, positive results at the Southeast Asian Games provide important momentum.

“We hope to compete for medal contention, at minimum bronze, and our long-term target is naturally qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics,” he added.

The 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, represents an important event for Indonesian Aquatics to measure athlete readiness and strengthen the foundation for performance towards world-class level, including qualification for the 2028 Olympics.