Cultivating Early Discipline Through Athletics

KUDUS – On the track, competitive experience is a vital part of a young athlete's development. Before chasing personal bests or standing on a podium, they must first learn to manage nerves, understand competition rules, accept coaching feedback, and adapt to the pressure of a competitive arena.

This spirit was on full display during the MilkLife Athletics Challenge Series 1 2026, held at the Supersoccer Arena in Kudus from July 15–18, 2026. The championship, featuring athletes from the U-8 to U-18 age groups, contested events including track, race walking, jumping, throwing, and developmental categories. More than just a competition, the event provided young athletes an opportunity to experience an authentic match atmosphere at an early age as part of their training process.

For coaches and development clubs, competitive experience serves as a supplement to weekly training. Results on the track provide a basis for evaluating technical progress, mental development, and an athlete's readiness for future competitions.

Development Begins in Schools

The MilkLife Athletics Challenge offers a prime opportunity for coaches to observe athletic progress and scout new talent. The experience gained by participants is a key component of a long-term development process that continues after the tournament concludes.

Technical executive of the Atletik Sportif Klub Kudus, Noor Akhmad, stated that the club's development program originally began as junior high school extracurricular activities. As the number of athletes grew, training was centralized into a single club to ensure a more structured path toward high-level performance.

“Initially, training was conducted for middle school students. We then gathered them for regular training sessions and formed a club. Development toward higher achievements is indeed carried out through both clubs and extracurricular activities,” he said.

Currently, the program covers all athletic disciplines, including both track and field events. Through this approach, every athlete has the opportunity to develop their skills according to their potential.

Noor explained that the regeneration of athletes is conducted on an ongoing basis. Beyond regular training, coaches actively scout for talent in schools and utilize various championships, including the MilkLife Athletics Challenge, to identify potential in young athletes.

“We employ several strategies to recruit athletes, including selection trials in schools and leveraging championships like the MilkLife Athletics Challenge. The challenge is that athletics is often viewed as a less exciting sport compared to soccer or basketball. Consequently, we must be patient in providing understanding to children, teachers, and parents to foster collaboration in supporting long-term development toward high performance,” he noted.

According to Noor, the success of development is not determined by field training alone. Support from schools, families, and coaches is essential for children to remain consistent and continue to progress.

Achievement Grows from Consistent Training

This approach is beginning to yield results, with several athletes from Atletik Sportif Klub Kudus now representing the Kudus branch of the Indonesian Athletics Association (PASI) and Central Java in various national championships.

“Praise be to God, Atletik Sportif has achieved many successes at the national level. Last June, athletes representing PASI Kudus and Central Java at the 2026 National Championship secured four medals, including a performance by Irgi in the national-level 4x400 meter relay,” said Noor.

For the club, these achievements are not the final goal. Each medal is viewed as the result of a consistent routine, ranging from technical drills and evaluations to valuable competitive experience.

Training Beyond Technical Skills

Budi Kurniawan, coach of the Atletik Sportif Klub Kudus from MI NU Miftahul Ulum, stated that every training session emphasizes lessons extending well beyond technical aspects.

“We first teach the children technique, followed by field application. The values taught are numerous, ranging from discipline and punctuality in training to coordination with parents.”

According to Kurniawan, the presence of regular competitions such as the MilkLife Athletics Challenge provides students with clear goals, keeping their motivation high.

“When there are two championships per year, the children are very enthusiastic, especially regarding the MilkLife event. It just so happens that they compete right after the holidays. The challenge arises when holidays conflict with family plans, so they really have to be smart about time management.”

From Hobby to Ambition

This same enthusiasm is shared by Mohammad Sholichin Firdaus, a student at MI NU Miftahul Ulum who has been with the Atletik Sportif Klub Kudus since 2025.

Starting with a love for running, he now trains weekly. For him, the most memorable moments are those spent competing against rivals with comparable abilities.

“I have been participating since 2025. I joined because I love running. I train on the field every week. The most memorable training sessions are when I compete against my rivals. I want to become a professional runner.”

That simple desire has slowly evolved into a greater goal as he gains more competitive experience.

Family Support Sustains Motivation

Behind Firdaus' drive is the constant support provided by his family. His mother, Eni Mufidah, has observed positive behavioral changes in her son since he began training.

“He is very enthusiastic and this is his third time participating. Thank God, he has even won a title. He is much more motivated, so as parents, we continue to support him. We hope he keeps improving, maintains his performance, and finds success.”

She believes that athletics not only provides competitive experience but also instills positive habits that carry over into daily life.

The Journey Continues

Athlete development extends far beyond a single championship. Every competitive experience is part of an ongoing learning process supported by routine training, coach evaluations, and guidance from schools and families. Through this integrated approach, athletes continue to refine their technical skills, competitive mindset, and self-confidence over time.

For some, this competition marks their debut in a formal event. For others, it serves as a benchmark for measuring progress and preparing for higher levels of play. These competitive experiences are integral to the long-term journey of early childhood athlete development.

Through a tiered competition structure, the MilkLife Athletics Challenge Series 1 2026 offers more than just track rivalry; it serves as a critical learning stage for young athletes to build the technical expertise, competitive mentality, and character necessary for their future athletic careers. (ITN/mainkekudus)