From the Menara Kudus to a Local Plant Nursery, Cultural Visits Instill Values of Sportsmanship and Environmental Awareness in HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026 Athletes.
KUDUS – One day before the opening whistle of the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026, young female footballers from across the country stepped away from tactics, strategy, and final practices. Instead, they spent time exploring Kudus, retracing its history, learning from local sports traditions, and discovering the importance of environmental conservation.
The series of cultural visits held on Saturday (July 4, 2026), offered the athletes a break from the competitive atmosphere while familiarizing them with the host city. Before their matches at the Supersoccer Arena from July 5 to 12, 2026, they learned that a city is defined not just by its sports fields, but also by the history, culture, and nature that shape its identity.
Sixteen of the top U-15 and U-18 teams from Jabodetabek, West Java, Central Java, and East Java visited three iconic sites: the Kudus Tower, GOR Djarum, and the Plant Nursery Center (PPT). These activities are designed to build character and help the athletes adjust to their new environment before entering tournament play.
Connecting with History for the First Time
The tour began at the Kudus Tower, a symbol of history and cultural acculturation left by Sunan Kudus. At this site, the athletes learned about the cultural encounters that are central to the city's long narrative.
For many of the participants, this visit was about more than sightseeing. Many saw the historic structure in person for the first time, having previously only known it through stories or books.
Tigers Football Academy U-15 captain Vincka Setyawati was among those who found the experience memorable.
"The most memorable moment was visiting the Kudus Tower because it was my first time. Seeing history firsthand is extraordinary," she said.
Deny Nur Hakim, an official at the Sunan Kudus Mosque, Tower, and Tomb Foundation (YM3SK), hopes the visit serves as an engaging way for the younger generation to learn about regional identity through history.
"Through history, they gain insight into the identity of Kudus city. It is our hope that the younger generation learns from history and avoids falling for unverified information," he said.
The visit demonstrated that before emerging as high-achieving athletes, the participants were encouraged to understand the values embedded in the locations they visited.
Learning from the Birthplace of Champions
The journey continued to GOR Djarum, a facility that has produced numerous world-class badminton athletes. There, the players did not engage in training sessions, but instead listened to accounts of the long process required to achieve success.
PB Djarum administrator Raventus Pongoh emphasized that success is never instantaneous. He noted that every achievement is built upon a foundation of discipline, hard work, and consistency.
"If you want to be a legend, you must have achievements. It all requires a process. Do not give up easily, because great athletes are born from hard work and consistency," he advised.
This message served as a reminder that competition is only one part of an athlete's career journey, with a rigorous, often unseen process behind every victory.
For players preparing for national competitions, receiving direct motivation at such a significant site in Indonesian sports history provided a fresh perspective on the meaning of perseverance.
Understanding the Environment Through Simple Actions
The final stop brought the athletes to a plant nursery center (PPT). In this area, the focus shifted from the intensity of sports to environmental education.
Participants were introduced to the process of converting organic waste into fertilizer, the importance of household waste segregation, and the role of reforestation in protecting the Muria mountain highlands to ensure water retention and mitigate landslide risks.
Timothy Ariel Saputra, a program associate at the Bakti Lingkungan Djarum Foundation, explained that the initiative aims to foster environmental awareness from a young age.
"We want them to understand that the largest volume of waste is organic. When they see for themselves how that waste can be processed into fertilizer, they understand the utility. Once the public is able to segregate waste at home, half of the waste problem is effectively solved," he explained.
Timothy further detailed that the Bakti Lingkungan Djarum Foundation focuses on five key pillars: terrestrial reforestation, wildlife conservation, coastal protection, waste management, and youth engagement in environmental movements. These programs are interconnected to help maintain ecosystem stability.
One initiative involves reforestation on the slopes of the Muria Mountains to stabilize soil structure, improve water absorption, and mitigate landslide risks.
Where Football Meets Environmental Stewardship
The enthusiasm shared with these athletes aligns with environmental preservation programs in Kudus, such as the Djarum Foundation’s trembesi tree planting initiative, which began in Kudus and expanded across Java’s northern coastal highway to Madura and the Sumatra toll road.
Previously, Italian club Como 1907 also launched a green initiative in Kudus through its "ROOTS: Strong Roots, Shared Goals" program.
The club, acquired in 2019 by Bambang Hartono and Robert Budi Hartono—the owners of Djarum—allocated a portion of its 2025/2026 season ticket sales to support the planting of approximately 13,000 trees in the Patiayam Hill area of Kudus.
The program serves as a symbol that fan support at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia in Italy extends beyond on-pitch success, creating a tangible impact on environmental conservation, particularly within Kudus.
Under the Hartono family's ownership, Como 1907 has ascended from Serie D to Serie A and is currently competing in the Champions League. As the club evolves, it continues to develop community programs that integrate football, sustainability, and social empowerment.
Through ROOTS, Como 1907 demonstrates that sports can foster global impact, bridging the gap between the stands of Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia and conservation areas in Kudus.
Mental Preparation Before Competition
For participants, the day-long experience provided not only knowledge but also an opportunity to build camaraderie ahead of the tournament.
Larena Lareina Savvy, an athlete with the JP U-18 Jakarta Girls' Team, stated that the program offered new insights into the connection between sports and the environment.
"Here, we learn how to care for plants and protect the ecosystem. A healthy environment fosters healthy individuals. Therefore, sports and environmental conservation are intrinsically linked," she said.
Scorpion FC U-15 coach Hermawan Danu noted that off-pitch activities contribute to the players' mental readiness, particularly for those competing away from home.
"For the players from outside the city, this is crucial to help them relax. Our earlier visits to Menara Kudus and PB Djarum were a way for us to build chemistry before the match," he said.
He added that a relaxed atmosphere before competition helps players adapt to a new environment while strengthening team cohesion.
Meanwhile, HYDROPLUS Soccer League Program Manager Rijki Kurniawan noted that the cultural visit is part of the experience intended for all participants, viewing them not just as competitors, but as young individuals learning about history, environmental awareness, and sportsmanship.
Ultimately, the day trip offered more than just an introduction to the city. Amidst match preparations, the athletes gained lasting insights into local history, the dedication required for achievement, and a shared responsibility toward the environment. These experiences ensure that when they take to the pitch, they enter as more than just competitors seeking victory, but as a new generation well-versed in the values surrounding the sport.
From July 5 to 12, 2026, the spirit and lessons gained during the cultural visit will guide the athletes during the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026 at the Supersoccer Arena. The tournament serves as a platform for young athletes to exhibit their skills while practicing the sportsmanship and character fostered during their time in Kudus. All matches of the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026 will be broadcast live via the official HYDROPLUS Soccer League YouTube and TikTok channels. (JMY/SBR/ITN/mainkekudus)