The Academic Senate (SA) of Universitas Indonesia (UI) initiated the Pickleball tournament, called the “SA UI Cup Pickleball 2024,” from July 26 to 28, 2024. This tournament is an initiative effort from SA to promote an active and healthy lifestyle among academics and the general public. The tournament, held at the Pickleball field of the Faculty of Psychology and Faculty of Law UI, featured various categories of matches, such as men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles.
Head of the SA UI Cup Pickleball 2024, who is also the Head of SA UI, Prof. Dr. dr. Budi Wiweko, SpOG(K), MPH., more familiarly called Prof. Iko, stated the importance of this tournament being held in the context of Indonesian public health and human resource (SDM) development. He said, “Through SA UI Cup Pickleball 2024, we not only promote a fun sport, but also invite the public to pay more attention to their health. Regular physical activity, such as pickleball, can become an effective first step in preventing degenerative diseases and welcoming the vision of Indonesia Emas 2045.”
According to Prof. Iko, Indonesia is currently facing a double burden in the health field, infectious diseases are still prevalent and degenerative diseases are increasing. Prevention of degenerative diseases through physical activity is not only beneficial for individual health, but also has a positive impact on productivity and the national economy, as well as reducing the country’s economic burden in the long run. Prof. Iko also added the relationship between health, family planning, and the quality of human resources (SDM). “In the context of population, healthy and active people play an important role in quality family planning. The healthy and educated family often makes wiser decisions regarding the number and interval of childbirth, which in turn contributes to improving the quality of Indonesian human resources,” said Prof. Iko, who recently received an award as the first Indonesian to receive the highest honorary title from RANZCOG for his outstanding contribution in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
The SA UI Cup Pickleball 2024 was attended by hundreds of participants from various community circles, including students, lecturers, alumni, and the general public. Pickleball, a sport that is a combination of tennis, badminton, and tabletop tennis, was chosen due to its inclusive nature and can be played by various age groups. Not only does it test physical ability, this tournament was also held to popularize Pickleball as a sport that is easily accessible, affordable, fun, and safe for various age groups, including the elderly.
The Secretary General of the Indonesian Pickleball Federation (IPF), Dr. Susilo, D.Ed., stated, “The implementation of the tournament on the first day also became a selection event for athletes from Jakarta for the National Sports Week (PON) XXI Aceh-North Sumatera 2024. In the next two days, the players compete in half-competition systems, where every couple has a chance to play three to four times. The winner was decided based on best point accumulation, with each match lasting for one set until reaching 15 points.”
This tournament was won by Handika Surya & Fahmi Ichan Azizi in first place for the Mens Double Open, Muhammad Milam & Frisnandyo in second place for the Mens Double Open, and Joint Third Place was won by the couple Arief Feri Nurhakim & Sembara Adinugraha, Sulthan Rafy & Irwan Kurniawan. In the Men’s Double 50+ category, first place was won by the pair Taufik & Suwardi, second place was won by the pair Dani Pramadani & Dede Junaedi, and joint third place was won by the pair Ade Irawan & Elfitri Dafit, Mochamad Nur Hassan & Eko Priyono.
In the Mixed Open number, the first place was won by Arief Feri Nurhakim & Desy Ratnasari, the second place was won by the pair Fahmi Ichsan Azizi & Lena Mulyana, the joint third place was won by the pair Sembara Adinugraha & Willyani Rahmawati, Chris Rafael Aruan & Ken Shafa. Meanwhile, in the Mixed 50+ number, the first place was won by the pair Ade Irawan & Lena Mulyana, the second place was won by the pair Diana Lidiawati & Deded Syafril, and the joint third place was won by the pair Cak Susilo & Yuli Susilo, Leny Mulyani & Suwardi A Jalil.
A cash prize of 2 million rupiahs was given to first-place winners, 1.5 million rupiahs was given to those who were in second place, and 1 million rupiahs was given to joint third-place winners. The participants who passed the selection for PON XXI Aceh-North Sumatra in 2024, include Muhammad Alif Tahjudi, Muhammad Arfan, Chris Rafael Aruan, M. Desta Alfiyansyah, Yusuf Maulanan Abar, M.Rizky Pratama, Ken Shafa Salsabila, Fina, Azizah, Christy dan Kayla.
This event was also attended by the Head of the UI Pickleball Community, Professor of Political Psychology UI, Prof. Hamdi Muluk; Head of the IPF DKI Jakarta Provincial Management, Capt. Andi M. Pakpahan S.Si., M.ar; General Secretary of the IPF DKI Jakarta Provincial Management, Bambang Supriyanto, SE., ST., MM.
