PDIP: Soekarno Cup instils fighting spirit in young talent
Komarudin Watubun, National Committee Chairman of the Soekarno Cup, said the Soekarno Cup 2026 youth football tournament is not only a platform for talent scouting, but also a means of instilling the spirit of struggle and character in Indonesia’s young talent.
Komarudin Watubun said in a statement in Jakarta on Tuesday that the tournament, which was attended by around 400 young talents from a number of provinces, felt more special for two reasons.
First, the final match was held in Surabaya, the birthplace of Bung Karno, the proclaimer and Father of the Nation.
Second, the final was held at the Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium, a stadium named after one of the important figures in the history of the struggle of the arek-arek Suroboyo.
“This final night is not just an ordinary match. Tonight we unite two great names who determined the red-and-white of the nation’s history: Bung Karno and Bung Tomo. In this stadium, their names merge with the roar of the crowd and the spirit of young grassroots talent from across the country competing on this national stage,” said Komarudin during the Soekarno Cup 2026 final at the Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium, Surabaya, Monday (24/8).
Komarudin imagined that Bung Karno and Bung Tomo are currently watching Indonesia’s young people compete with proud smiles.
“They see the flame of struggle that they once lit, now continuing to burn in the chests of the younger generation,” he said.
Bung Karno was born in Surabaya on 6 June 1901. The proclaimer spent his teenage years in Surabaya, boarding at the home of Islamic figure HOS Tjokroaminoto.
Bung Karno’s great thoughts and aspirations about Indonesia were shaped from his teenage years as he grappled with the lives of the people of Surabaya, and engaged in dynamic exchanges of ideas with movement figures.
Bung Tomo was one of the central figures who played a role in galvanising the courage of the people of Surabaya during the most critical period in the history of Indonesia’s independence.
On 10 November 1945, when Surabaya faced the Allied forces, Bung Tomo through his radio broadcasts ignited the people’s spirit.
He did not only speak to soldiers or specific groups. His oration touched the wider public, calling on the community to stand together to defend independence.
His speech instilled the belief that independence must be defended with courage, unity, and sacrifice.
Therefore, said Komarudin, when hundreds of young people from across Indonesia gathered in Surabaya to compete and pursue their dreams of becoming professional footballers, the Soekarno Cup sought to bring together the history of the nation’s struggle with the aspirations of the future generation through the football pitch.
“I am reminded of a great message from Bung Karno: ‘Give me 10 youths, and I will shake the world.’ That message is not merely words. It is a belief that Indonesian youth have the energy, courage, creativity, and spirit to make this nation a great nation,” said Komarudin.
In accordance with the message of Soekarno Cup initiator Prananda Prabowo, continued Komarudin, the young talents competing are expected to become great players on the pitch while also having disciplined, sportsmanlike character, and the courage to dream big for Indonesia.