KUDUS – On the track, competition experience is a vital component in the development of young athletes. Before chasing personal bests or standing on the podium, they must first learn to manage nerves, understand competition rules, accept coaching feedback, and adapt to the intensity of the arena.
This spirit was evident during the MilkLife Athletics Challenge Series 1 2026, held at the Supersoccer Arena in Kudus from July 15–18, 2026. The championship, which featured athletes from the U-8 to U-18 age groups, included running, race walking, jumping, throwing, and developmental events. Beyond being a competition, the event provided young athletes the opportunity to experience the atmosphere of professional sports as part of their long-term training process.
For coaches and development clubs, competitive experience serves as a supplement to weekly training. Results on the track provide a benchmark to evaluate technical progress, mental toughness, and an athlete's readiness for future competitions.
The MilkLife Athletics Challenge offers coaches a chance to observe athlete progress and identify emerging talent. The experience participants gain is an essential part of the ongoing development that continues long after the event concludes.
Noor Akhmad, a technical official for the Atletik Sportif Klub Kudus, explained that athlete development at his club originates from middle school extracurricular activities. As the number of athletes grows, they are brought together into a club structure to ensure the path toward high-level performance is more focused.
"Initially, we focused on middle school students. We brought them into a routine training schedule and formed a club. Developmental progress toward higher achievement is indeed driven through these clubs and extracurricular activities," he said.
Currently, the program covers all athletics disciplines, including track and field events. This comprehensive approach allows every athlete to hone their skills according to their individual potential.
Noor emphasized that athlete regeneration is a continuous effort. In addition to regular training, coaches actively scout new talent through schools and utilize events such as the MilkLife Athletics Challenge to identify potential from a young age.
"We have several strategies for scouting athletes, including school-based selections and leveraging championships like the MilkLife Athletics Challenge. The challenge is that athletics is often viewed as less exciting than soccer or basketball. Therefore, we must patiently engage with children, teachers, and parents to foster the collaboration needed to support development all the way to elite levels," he noted.
According to Noor, the success of the program is not defined solely by field training. Support from schools, families, and coaches is an interconnected system that ensures children remain consistent in their training and continue to progress.
This approach is already yielding results. Several athletes from the Atletik Sportif Klub Kudus have been selected to represent PASI Kudus and Central Java in various national championships.
"Thank God, Atletik Sportif has achieved success at the national level. Last June, our athletes competed in the 2026 National Championship representing PASI Kudus and Central Java, winning four medals. One notable achievement was by Irgi in the national-level 4x400 meter relay," Noor said.
For the club, these results are not the final destination. Every medal is viewed as the outcome of a consistent routine, ranging from technical drills and performance evaluations to valuable competition experience.
Budi Kurniawan, an athletics coach for the Sportif Kudus Club from MI NU Miftahul Ulum, stated that every training session encompasses more than just technical instruction.
“We teach the children technique first, followed by field application. There are many values instilled, ranging from discipline and punctuality to coordination with parents,” he said.
According to Kurniawan, regular competitions like the MilkLife Athletics Challenge provide children with clear objectives, which helps maintain their motivation.
“When we have two championships a year, the children are very enthusiastic, especially because of the MilkLife event. It just so happens that they compete right after the holidays. The challenge is that holidays sometimes conflict with family events, so they have to be smart about time management.”
This enthusiasm is shared by Mohammad Sholichin Firdaus, a student at MI NU Miftahul Ulum who has been with the Sportif Kudus Club since 2025.
What started as a passion for running has turned into a weekly training routine. For him, the most memorable moments are competing against well-matched rivals.
“I have been participating since 2025. I joined because I wanted to run; I truly enjoy it. I train regularly every week on the track. The most memorable training moments are when I compete against my rivals. I want to become a track athlete,” he said.
That simple desire has gradually evolved into a larger ambition as he gains more competitive experience.
Behind Firdaus’s drive is the unwavering support of his family. His mother, Eni Mufidah, has observed a positive shift in her son's attitude since he began training.
“He is very enthusiastic and has participated three times now. Thank God, he has even won a title. He is more driven, so we as parents continue to support him. We hope he keeps improving, maintains his progress, and finds success,” she said.
She believes that athletics not only provides competitive experience but also fosters positive habits that carry over into daily life.
Athletic development does not conclude with a single championship. Each competitive experience serves as a vital part of an ongoing learning process supported by consistent training, coach evaluations, and guidance from schools and families. It is through this comprehensive approach that an athlete's technical proficiency, competitive mindset, and self-confidence evolve over time.
For some participants, this event may mark their first competition. For others, the championship serves as an opportunity to measure personal progress while preparing for higher levels of play. Such experiences are essential components of the long-term athlete development process starting at an early age.
Through a tiered competition structure, the MilkLife Athletics Challenge Series 1 2026 offers more than just rivalry on the track; it serves as a critical stage for young athletes to build the techniques, mental fortitude, and character that will define their future sporting careers. (ITN/mainkekudus)
