"Some 15 provinces are participating in the woodball qualification round. I hope that all of them can qualify, according to the standards set by the technical delegate," said Richard Tampubolon, chairperson of IWbA's advisory board, on Friday.
According to him, the PON qualification round can be an entry point for the regional woodball management to find the best athletes.
Fifteen provinces are taking part in the round, with a total of 229 contingents competing for entry into the 2024 PON Aceh-North Sumatra.
Indonesian woodball will be competed for the first time at the 2024 PON Aceh-North Sumatra after being registered as an exhibition game at the 2016 PON West Java.
"I am sure that someday, woodball will produce great Indonesian athletes who can make the country proud internationally. That is our aspiration," Tampubolon said.
In addition, IWbA is also continuing to promote woodball at all levels.
"We are empowering and sharing our modules with sports lovers, schools, including the military and the police," he said.
Meanwhile, IWbA chairperson Aang Sunadji said that the PON woodball qualification round is expected to introduce the sport to the public.
According to him, Indonesia won gold in woodball in the 1st ASEAN Beach Games in 2007. Indonesia also has woodball world champions who are still active.
Therefore, he said that he believes that it will not be impossible for Indonesian woodball to succeed at the world level.
"We aim to bring the World Championship to Indonesia. Bali may be an interesting venue," Sunadji said.
He said that he met with the Thailand Woodball Association recently to discuss efforts to bring the sport to the 2025 SEA Games.
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Translator: Arindra M, Kenzu
Editor: Anton Santoso
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