Malang, en.SERU.co.id – The Youth, Sports and Tourism Agency (Disporapar) is collaborating with the Malang City KONI to address the impact of budget efficiency on the athletes of the 2026 Regional Sports Week (POPDA) contingent. From an initial proposal of 423 athletes, Disporapar has set a quota of 200 athletes and 28 officials with budget support of Rp1 billion. As a result, this efficiency measure has triggered reactions over the limitation of athlete quotas in a number of sports branches (cabor).
Head of the Malang City Disporapar, Dr. Arif Tri Sastyawan SSTP MSi, explained that the budget available for the operational costs of the POPDA 2026 contingent is recorded at around Rp1 billion, plus an allocation of athlete bonuses amounting to Rp300 million.
“Initially the POPDA budget was only Rp400 million. After calculation it was only enough for 70 people. After discussion with Commission D, it was agreed that the budget would become around Rp1 billion to send 200 athletes. From the sports branches’ proposals it actually reached 423 athletes,” said Arif when met in his office.
Determination of the 200 Athlete Quota Is Not Yet Final
This situation had drawn disappointment from a number of parents and guardians of athletes who had not yet been included in the list of the 200 main departure quota under the regional budget (APBD). To accommodate these complaints, Disporapar is coordinating with the Malang City KONI and Commission D of the Malang City DPRD to seek additional funding solutions for athletes with medal potential, including the option of transparent independent pathway involvement.
Arif emphasized that the determination of the 200 athlete quota is not yet final. His side will continue intensive coordination with the Malang City KONI to map potential athletes who have not yet been accommodated in the main quota.
“We continue to coordinate with KONI and Commission D to find solutions. We request that the sports branch data be inventoried again, roughly how many additional athletes with medal potential KONI can help send,” he explained.
Adjustment of Athlete Numbers in Several Sports Branches
The limited budget quota has forced Disporapar to reduce the number of personnel in several team sports. The football team, which ideally would send 22 players, has been adjusted to 20 athletes. Similar quota adjustments have also been applied to volleyball, basketball, and beach volleyball.
In addition, to navigate this restriction, Disporapar is implementing a strategy of multi-event participation in individual sports. These include athletics, swimming, karate, and pencak silat. High-achieving athletes are projected to compete in more than one event.
“This budget efficiency condition is experienced by almost all regions. The key lies in strategy. For example in athletics, an athlete who competes in the 100-meter event is projected to also compete in the 400-meter event as long as their physical condition is ready,” Arif stressed.
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Targeting 24 Gold Medals at POPDA 2026
Despite facing efficiency in fund allocation, the Malang City Contingent has set a target of achieving 24 gold medals at POPDA 2026. This figure has been adjusted from the previous period’s achievement that successfully recorded 30 gold medals.
The POPDA 2026 event is scheduled to take place in three regions. Surabaya City will host a number of opening sports in the last week of October 2026, followed by Ngawi Regency as the main organizing center and Kediri Regency in early November 2026. Chess and bridge are also scheduled to appear as exhibition sports.
“This POPDA event simultaneously becomes a benchmark for initial development. The 200 athletes being sent are projected to enter the framework of the Malang City team toward the East Java Provincial Sports Week (Porprov) 2027,” Arif concluded. (ws15/rhd)
