Wihaji Closes MKGR Open Padel 2026, West Java Crowned Overall Champions
The General Chairman of the Musyawarah Kekeluargaan Gotong Royong (MKGR) mass organisation, Dr. H. Wihaji, S.Sos., M.Si., officially closed the MKGR Open Padel 2026 tournament on Saturday (15/8/2026). The two-day tournament at Aera Padel Halim, East Jakarta, was held to enliven the 81st anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia’s independence.
Wihaji, who also serves as Deputy General Chairman of the Golkar Party, attended on behalf of Golkar Party General Chairman Bahlil Lahadalia. In his remarks, Wihaji explained that Bahlil was unable to attend due to pressing state duties.
“Tonight, Chairman Mas Bahlil actually wanted to come. However, because there are state duties that cannot be abandoned, he asked me to represent him in closing the MKGR Open Padel 2026 event,” said Wihaji.
Wihaji stressed that the tournament was not merely an ordinary sports competition, but a means to build the spirit of unity and collaboration that forms the foundation of the organisation. According to him, the character of padel is very much in line with MKGR’s values.
“The spirit is collaboration, unity, and mutual cooperation. Like playing padel earlier, there is cooperation between two parties, working shoulder to shoulder to produce a good game,” he said.
He also encouraged MKGR to continue transforming by presenting activities that are relevant to the younger generation and Gen Z. Going forward, Wihaji opened up opportunities to hold other grassroots sports activities such as running and plastic football in various regions.
In this year’s event, the West Java contingent emerged as overall champions. For this achievement, Wihaji announced that next year’s tournament will be moved to that region.
“God willing, next year the host will not be in Jakarta. Because West Java are the overall champions, we have decided that next year the rotating trophy will be held in West Java,” Wihaji asserted, to enthusiastic applause from participants.
Amid the celebratory atmosphere, the MKGR family demonstrated strong social concern. Wihaji expressed deep condolences over the earthquake disaster that struck the people of Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
As a concrete action, all prize money won by the first-place winners (in both the mixed doubles and men’s doubles categories) was donated entirely to help disaster victims in NTT. The donation was handed over symbolically by MKGR Secretary Daniel Muttaqien to MKGR NTT officials.
“I hope that starting tomorrow, MKGR in that region can move shoulder to shoulder to help the affected communities in NTT,” Wihaji concluded.
The closing ceremony was also attended by a number of prominent figures, including Minister for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers Mukhtaruddin, Golkar Party Deputy General Chairman Fahd Araffiq, Deputy Minister of Trade Dyah Roro Esti, as well as members of the Indonesian House of Representatives and MKGR regional board members from various provinces.
Wihaji assessed that sports activities such as padel tournaments can be a form of transformation to keep the organisation close to the community. The rising popularity of padel in Indonesia has encouraged the emergence of various tournaments that not only serve as competitive arenas but also strengthen the sport’s ecosystem.