"This is the first national championship held under PSOI. The goal here is to get together, get to know each other, and for the regions to measure the strength of opponents, and learn international professional surfing rules," PB PSOI chairperson Arya Subyakto told ANTARA here on Tuesday.
The provinces participating in the PSOI national championship include Bali, Jakarta, West Java, West Sumatra, Papua, Lampung, Aceh, East Nusa Tenggara, East Java, and Banten.
According to Subyakto, the wave surfing championship has not been joined by all provinces considering that the sport has limitations in terms of geography.
"It must be remembered that surfing has a geographical factor, so it is impossible for all of Indonesia's (provinces) to join," he explained.
Four branches are being competed in the championship: men's and women's longboard, as well as men's and women's shortboard, with the youngest participant being a 9-year-old from Jakarta.
Subyakto said that wave surfing sports are not always dominated by potential new athletes from Bali, West Nusa Tenggara, and West Java.
"I see the development is amazing. There are athletes from other regions that have improved a lot. In the past, when we held the WSL (World Surf League Qualifying Series) 1000, (the athletes) were usually from Bali, West Nusa Tenggara, West Java, and Nias, North Sumatra," he explained.
The PB PSOI chairperson asked provinces to hold at least five club matches each year with an age category system, especially the under-10 years old category, to find new talents and get athletes used to the international match system.
PB PSOI will hold a qualification for the 2024 Aceh-North Sumatra National Sports Week (PON) in 2023.
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Translator: Arindra M, Kenzu T
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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