PB Djarum Shapes Indonesian Badminton Legends and Sustains Athlete Development
KUDUS – PB Djarum was founded in Kudus on April 28, 1969. The club originated from a group of employees who shared a passion for badminton. What began as a recreational activity evolved into a professionally managed organization, becoming a cornerstone of badminton development in Indonesia.
More than five decades later, PB Djarum operates a comprehensive athlete development program that encompasses talent scouting, rigorous training, education, character building, and performance monitoring. From its base in Kudus, the organization prepares young athletes for competition on both national and international stages.
PB Djarum's legacy is defined by the numerous athletes who have emerged from its developmental pipeline. Liem Swie King remains a seminal figure in the club’s history, having secured three All England titles between 1978 and 1981 and serving as a key member of Indonesia's Thomas Cup team. Following that era, Hariyanto Arbi—famously known as "The 100-Watt Smash"—rose to prominence, alongside 1992 Barcelona Olympic gold medalist Alan Budikusuma and 1997 men's doubles world champion Sigit Budiarto.
The tradition of success continued with subsequent generations. Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir captured gold at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, while Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo and Marcus Fernaldi Gideon achieved significant success, including All England titles in 2017 and 2018. Mohammad Ahsan claimed world titles in 2013, 2015, and 2019 alongside Hendra Setiawan. In mixed doubles, Praveen Jordan and Debby Susanto secured an All England title in 2016.
This roster of talent underscores the consistency of PB Djarum's training system. While alumni have left behind illustrious careers, the ongoing process of scouting and developing young players ensures the steady preparation of future generations.
For PB Djarum, this journey is central to its regeneration process. Athletes at the training center are groomed not only for victory but also for the long-term dedication required to compete at the elite level.
From a Corporate Community to Global Success
The history of PB Djarum began with modest roots. Founded on April 28, 1969, the club originated from a group of employees who shared a passion for badminton. What began as a recreational activity soon evolved into a professionally managed organization.
The club’s growth mirrored the rise of its homegrown athletes, who secured titles across numerous competitions. Liem Swie King remains a pivotal figure in PB Djarum's history, with his signature King Smash marking a defining era for the club.
This legacy continued with subsequent generations. Hariyanto Arbi emerged as a standout PB Djarum athlete, achieving prominence throughout the 1990s. The Indonesian men's singles legend earned the nickname “100 Watt Smash” for the power and precision of his shots.
Following them, PB Djarum fostered numerous athletes who excelled on both the national and international stages. Alan Budikusuma, Sigit Budiarto, Tontowi Ahmad, Liliyana Natsir, Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo, Mohammad Ahsan, Praveen Jordan, and Debby Susanto are all part of this enduring journey.
These athletes from various generations are integral to PB Djarum’s commitment to consistent development. Their achievements go hand-in-hand with an ongoing process of scouting and training young players.
The vision for this development is encapsulated by the motto “From Kudus to the World.” While Kudus serves as the hub for training and education, the program is designed to provide athletes with the opportunities needed to compete at the highest national and international levels.
For PB Djarum, development extends beyond tournament success. Fighting spirit and the ability to handle pressure are also key focus areas. Athlete progress is monitored through an internal ranking system for the U-13, U-15, and U-17 age groups.
Athlete Regeneration Begins with Talent Scouting
Regeneration is central to PB Djarum’s developmental strategy. Through its General Audition, the club scouts young players across multiple regions to provide promising talent with access to its training system. This approach ensures that athlete renewal is not concentrated solely in Kudus but reaches young prospects throughout Indonesia.
This recruitment model has been implemented over several cycles. In 2019, for instance, the PB Djarum General Audition was held in five cities across Java: Bandung, Purwokerto, Surabaya, Solo Raya, and Kudus, culminating in a final selection stage.
Auditions were briefly suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since resuming, the search for talent has expanded beyond Kudus to include Pekanbaru and Makassar, reflecting PB Djarum's commitment to scouting athletes from diverse regional backgrounds.
Beyond the General Audition, the club scouts talent through its dedicated team and partnerships with local clubs. Potential athletes are monitored through internship and joint training programs before advancing to further development stages.
This strategy ensures the scouting process does not rely solely on athletes traveling to Kudus. Instead, promising players are identified in their home regions before being invited for professional development.
Once inducted into the system, athletes undergo training tailored to their specific discipline and age group. Operational data from April 24, 2025, shows that PB Djarum currently supports 162 active athletes with 31 coaches. The doubles division consists of 101 athletes trained by 14 coaches, while the singles division comprises 61 athletes guided by 17 coaches.
Training is primarily conducted at the GOR Djarum (Jati) and Djarum Arena (Kaliputu) in Kudus, complemented by additional facilities at the GOR Djarum in Jakarta. This structural division allows for specialized training aligned with each athlete's developmental needs.
Trained and Character-Driven Athletes
Once an athlete enters the development system, they begin a structured training regimen. Coaches monitor not only technical proficiency but also character and daily habits.
David Hedija Pohan, head coach of PB Djarum’s U-15 and U-17 sectors, stated that scouting for young talent focuses on age, physical build, technical skill, and playing style.
Technique remains a fundamental pillar. Athletes are also evaluated on their tactical awareness, including the confidence to employ an attacking style consistent with the demands of the modern game.
However, athletic ability is not the only metric; an athlete's demeanor is part of their daily character development.
"We consistently emphasize everyday values, from their attitude in the dormitory and time management to their behavior on the court," David said.
Training sessions are also used to test resilience. Athletes are conditioned to handle match pressure and physical fatigue, ensuring they remain steadfast when facing difficult situations during competition.
Developing today's youth presents new challenges. Gadgets and social media are significant distractions that coaches actively monitor. Athletes must remain disciplined, as the path to the professional level requires time, consistency, and sacrifice.
Global Achievement
Decades of systematic development have produced numerous internationally acclaimed athletes. Liem Swie King won the All England title in 1978, 1979, and 1981. Alan Budikusuma captured the gold medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, while Sigit Budiarto was crowned men's doubles world champion in 1997 alongside Candra Wijaya.
Succeeding generations have continued this legacy, with Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir winning gold at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo, Mohammad Ahsan, Praveen Jordan, and Debby Susanto have also secured major international titles throughout their careers.
The success of the club’s trainees remains a testament to the program's effectiveness. Men's doubles pair Leo Rolly Carnando and Daniel Marthin claimed victory at the Taipei Open Super 300 on Sunday, August 2, 2026, defeating Malaysia’s Aaron Chia and Aaron Tai in the final. At the junior national level, PB Djarum also earned the overall championship title at the 2026 Kapolri National Circuit tournament.
Beyond athletic achievements, the presence of training centers and championship hosting in Kudus has turned the city into a hub for sporting activity. GOR Djarum (Jati) and Djarum Arena (Kaliputu) serve as both development centers and venues for competition.
Behind these achievements, the regeneration process remains constant. New athletes continue to arrive, undergoing selection, adapting to the training environment, and following a structured regimen of practice and education.
Scholarship Program
One athlete currently developing at PB Djarum is Muhammad Rasya Adhyazka. The 14-year-old men's singles player from Sampit, Central Kalimantan, joined the club in 2024 through the Home Tournament route. This pathway was linked to the 2024 PB Djarum Partner Club Championship held at GOR Djarum, Kudus, in February 2024. This exclusive, invitation-only event brought together young athletes from PB Djarum’s partner clubs to sharpen their competitive skills. For Rasya, participating in this event was a pivotal step in his journey to joining the PB Djarum development program.
Prior to this opportunity, Rasya had participated in the General Auditions in 2022 and 2023. His journey illustrates how the talent scouting process can span multiple stages before an athlete enters the formal development system.
Since arriving in Kudus, Rasya’s life has been governed by a routine balanced between athletics and schooling. His day begins at 5:00 AM. Following breakfast at the dormitory at 5:30 AM, he heads to his morning training session, which runs from 6:15 AM to 9:00 AM.
Morning sessions consist of warm-ups, technique work, and movement drills. Afterward, Rasya has time for bathing, resting, and attending school. In the afternoon, he returns to the court for physical and strategic training until approximately 7:00 PM.
Rasya notes that the physical conditioning sessions are particularly grueling, requiring regular long-distance running and endurance training. However, he finds it rewarding when that hard work translates into match results, such as reaching a final.
Rasya also benefits from the club’s scholarship program. He noted that the support eases the financial burden on his parents, as necessities such as meals and dormitory housing are provided as part of the development program.
His sights are now set on higher-level competitions. He aims to achieve success in the Sirnas and Grand Prix circuits and hopes to earn a spot at the Badminton Asia Championships in China. Following that, his ambition is to enter the national training center (Pelatnas) and progress toward the international stage.
Rasya’s journey is just beginning. He represents the latest phase of the ongoing talent development program that has been a cornerstone of PB Djarum since 1969. Athletes must navigate a rigorous path of selection, training, education, character building, and competition before advancing to the next level. Throughout this process, each generation is nurtured while the academy works to identify and groom the stars of the future.
Rasya’s path illustrates that successful athlete development is a long-term commitment. Aspiring athletes from across the country must undergo selection, acclimate to dormitory life, and adhere to structured training routines. This deliberate process ensures that PB Djarum maintains a continuous pipeline of talent, from those currently in training to those who will eventually represent the club on national and international stages.
Rasya offers simple advice for aspiring athletes: be disciplined, consistent, and maintain your passion. These values are not just words of wisdom but the very principles he embodies daily. From the practice courts in Kudus, the cycle of development continues as a new generation of athletes trains today to become the leaders of tomorrow. (HNR/mainkekudus)
