KUDUS – A day before the opening whistle of the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026, young female soccer players from various regions stepped away from tactics, strategy, and final training sessions. Instead, they were introduced to the city of Kudus through a different lens—tracing its historical roots, learning from local sports traditions, and understanding the importance of environmental conservation.
The cultural visit, held on Saturday (July 4, 2026), offered the athletes a brief reprieve from the pressures of competition while allowing them to connect with their host city. Ahead of the tournament at the Supersoccer Arena from July 5 to 12, 2026, they were encouraged to view a city not just through its sports facilities, but through the history, culture, and nature that define its identity.
A total of 16 top U-15 and U-18 teams from the Greater Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, and East Java regions visited three iconic destinations: the Menara Kudus, the Djarum Sports Hall (GOR Djarum), and the Plant Nursery Center (PPT). The initiative aims to foster character development in the athletes while helping them adapt to their new surroundings before the tournament begins.
The tour began at the Menara Kudus, a symbol of history and cultural acculturation left by Sunan Kudus. At this site, the athletes learned about the history of cultural convergence that remains central to the narrative of Kudus.
For many of the participants, this visit was more than just a sightseeing trip; many were seeing this historic site for the first time after only reading about it in books.
Vincka Setyawati, captain of the Tigers Football Academy U-15, shared her experience.
“The most memorable moment was visiting Menara Kudus because it was my first time here. Seeing the history in person was truly extraordinary,” she said.
Deny Nur Hakim, an official from the Sunan Kudus Mosque, Tower, and Tomb Foundation (YM3SK), expressed hope that such visits serve as an engaging way for the younger generation to learn about regional identity through historical education.
"By learning history, they can understand the identity of Kudus. We hope the younger generation can learn from the past and not be easily misled by unverified information," he said.
The visit demonstrated that before pursuing athletic achievement, the participants were also encouraged to appreciate the values inherent in the places they visited.
The tour continued to GOR Djarum, a facility that has produced numerous world-class badminton athletes. There, instead of training, the players listened to stories about the long, arduous journey required to achieve success.
PB Djarum administrator Raventus Pongoh reminded the attendees that success is never instantaneous, noting that every achievement is built on discipline, hard work, and consistency.
"If you want to become a legend, you must earn it through achievement. It is a process. Never give up, because great athletes are born from hard work and consistency," he advised.
The message served as a reminder that competition is only one part of an athlete's long journey. Behind every victory lies a process often unseen by the public.
For players preparing for national competition, the experience of receiving direct encouragement in a site steeped in the history of Indonesian sports provided a fresh perspective on the meaning of perseverance.
The final destination brought the athletes to the Plant Nursery Center (PPT). In this area, the focus shifted from the intensity of sports to environmental education.
Participants learned about the process of converting organic waste into fertilizer, the importance of household waste segregation, and how reforestation helps preserve the upper Muria Mountains, maintaining water reserves while reducing the risk of landslides.
Timothy Ariel Saputra, a Program Associate for the Djarum Foundation's Environmental Service (Bakti Lingkungan), explained that the initiative aims to foster environmental stewardship among the youth.
"We want them to understand that the largest portion of waste is organic. Seeing firsthand how it can be converted into fertilizer highlights its value. If communities begin sorting waste from home, half of our waste management problems are effectively solved," he explained.
Timothy added that the Djarum Foundation's environmental efforts rest on five pillars: land reforestation, wildlife conservation, coastal preservation, waste management, and youth engagement. These programs are interconnected to maintain ecological balance.
One of the initiatives underway involves reforestation on the slopes of the Muria Mountains to stabilize soil structure, improve water absorption, and mitigate the risk of landslides.
The spirit shared with these athletes aligns with environmental conservation programs in Kudus, such as the Djarum Foundation’s trembesi tree-planting initiative, which began in Kudus and expanded along Java's northern coast (Pantura) to Madura and the Sumatra toll road.
Previously, the 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—has allocated a portion of its 2025/2026 season ticket revenue to support the planting of approximately 13,000 trees in the Patiayam Hills, Kudus.
The program serves as a symbol that the support of fans at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia in Italy not only fuels the club’s development on the pitch but also creates a tangible environmental impact, particularly in Kudus.
Under the Hartono family's ownership, Como 1907 has risen from Serie D to Serie A and is now competing in the Champions League. Alongside this growth, the club has developed various community programs that integrate football, sustainability, and social empowerment.
Through ROOTS, Como 1907 demonstrates how sports can drive cross-border impact, bridging the stands of the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia with conservation areas in Kudus.
For the participants, the day provided not only new knowledge but also an opportunity to build camaraderie before the start of the tournament.
Lareina Savvy, an athlete from the JP U-18 Jakarta Women's Team, said she gained a new perspective on the link between sports and the environment.
"We learned how to care for plants and maintain the ecosystem. A healthy environment contributes to healthy individuals. Therefore, sports and environmental conservation are interconnected," she said.
Scorpion FC U-15 coach Hermawan Danu noted that off-field activities help maintain the players' mental readiness, especially for those visiting from out of town.
"For players from out of town, this is essential to help them relax. Our visits to Menara Kudus and PB Djarum were ways for us to build chemistry before the match," he said.
He added that a relaxed atmosphere prior to competition helps players adapt to a new environment while strengthening team cohesion.
Meanwhile, HYDROPLUS Soccer League Program Manager Rijki Kurniawan noted that the cultural visits are a core component of the experience for all participants. The initiative aims to develop them not just as competitors, but as young individuals who value history, environmental stewardship, and sportsmanship.
Ultimately, the day-long excursion evolved into more than just a routine city tour. Amidst tournament preparations, the athletes gained insights into local history, the dedication required for achievement, and the shared responsibility of environmental care. These experiences ensure they step onto the field not only as competitors seeking victory but as well-rounded young individuals who embody the values inherent to sports.
From July 5 to July 12, 2026, the spirit and values gained during the cultural visits will be brought to the field during the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026 matches at the Supersoccer Arena. The tournament serves as a platform for young athletes to demonstrate their skills while applying the sportsmanship, respect, and character cultivated in Kudus. All matches of the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026 can be streamed live on the official HYDROPLUS Soccer League YouTube and TikTok channels. (JMY/SBR/ITN/mainkekudus)