PORTALJABAR, BEKASI REGENCY - The Bekasi Regency Government successfully hosted the 2026 National Squash Championship, leading West Java to the overall championship with 11 gold, five silver, and 15 bronze medals.

The championship took place at the Wibawa Mukti Squash Building, Bekasi Regency Government Complex, Central Cikarang, attended by the best athletes from various provinces.

The West Java contingent maintained its dominance after topping the final standings thanks to a collection of 11 gold medals, five silver medals, and 15 bronze medals.

DKI Jakarta ranked second with two gold medals, seven silver medals, and 12 bronze medals.

East Kalimantan is in third place after collecting one gold, one silver, and three bronze medals.

Athletes fostered by Bekasi Regency also contributed one gold medal and three bronze medals for the West Java contingent.

The closing ceremony was attended by the Deputy Chairperson of the Achievement Development Division of the Central Indonesian National Sports Committee, Irfan Bachtiar, the Head of the Bekasi Regency Culture, Youth, and Sports Office, Iman Nugraha, administrators, coaches, and athletes.

Irfan Bachtiar appreciated the quality of the Wibawa Mukti Squash Building, which he considered worthy of being a location for national and international championships.

"We have very representative competition facilities. Now the challenge is how to expand training so that more provinces can compete and produce quality athletes," he said.

Irfan believes the National Championship is a momentum to expand squash development so that more regions can produce high-achieving athletes.

He also reminded young athletes to continue to improve their competitive experience through ongoing coaching and tryouts.

"Never feel small. Once you represent your region in the PON qualifying round, you are truly a PON athlete. Keep practicing and improving your competitive experience because the opportunity to excel is still very large," he said.

Head of the Bekasi Regency Culture, Youth, and Sports Agency, Iman Nugraha, said the trust to host the event demonstrates the regional government's commitment to supporting the development of high-achieving sports.

"Thank God, Bekasi Regency has been entrusted to host the 2026 National Squash Championship. This demonstrates our commitment to supporting the advancement of squash in Indonesia, ensuring it can produce high-achieving athletes at the international level," he said.

Iman said the existence of the international-standard Wibawa Mukti Squash Building is an important asset for building sustainable athlete development.

He is optimistic that the facility will be able to produce more high-achieving athletes and strengthen Bekasi Regency as a national squash development center.

"We will continue to improve athlete development with the entire management team. With the facilities we currently have, we are optimistic that we will produce more potential athletes who can bring honor to Bekasi Regency, West Java, and even Indonesia at the national and international levels," he said.

(Bekasi Regency Communications and Information Service/bhf)