The Individuals Supporting the Women's Team During Their Time in Kudus

KUDUS – Throughout the Caffino Srikandi Merdeka Cup 2026, much attention has focused on the athletes competing on the field. Yet, their daily lives in Kudus have also been defined by interactions with those working behind the scenes.

From staff supporting teams upon their arrival and providing medical care, to hotel personnel managing meals, these daily routines have fostered significant connections.

While these interactions began as professional obligations, the time spent together has naturally cultivated deeper bonds. Lobby greetings, brief exchanges, shared jokes, and observations of the players' quirks have all become part of the tournament's narrative.

This is particularly true for Muhammad Nazrey Firmani.

As a liaison officer (LO), Firmani initially saw the Malaysian delegation as a group he was tasked to support. His primary focus was ensuring their needs were met, with communication centering on schedules, coordination, and team logistics.

However, eight days together allowed that dynamic to evolve naturally.

Firmani began picking up on the players' habits, noting that several Malaysian players frequently listened to Indonesian songs on their phones.

"It was surprising to hear them playing Indonesian tracks like 'Tabola Bale' and 'Garam dan Madu'," Firmani said.

These small details signaled that their relationship had moved beyond professional duty. Firmani grew familiar with the individuals he met daily, while the players became comfortable with the person tasked with supporting them throughout their stay in Kudus.

Greetings from the Third Floor

This camaraderie did not emerge from a single long conversation, but rather from repeated, brief encounters that allowed Firmani and the Malaysian team to get to know one another.

On one occasion, Firmani was with several officials in the hotel lobby when the Malaysian players called down to them from the third floor, sharing jokes and laughter.

"The players greeted us from the third floor, joking and laughing. That was when I realized we had really gotten to know each other," Firmani said.

There was no work to be discussed; they simply wanted to connect with people they had come to know over the past few days.

Among the many people he has supported, Firmani notes that a few officials and team members now feel like personal friends.

For Firmani, it is these mundane interactions that forged such bonds. There was no specific agenda to become close; rather, the routines they shared eventually turned once-unfamiliar faces into friends.

Stories from the Medical Room

While Firmani bonded with players through his supporting role, Dr. Rizal’s interactions occurred in a different context.

As a medical volunteer from Mardi Rahayu Hospital, Dr. Rizal and his nursing team were responsible for treating players and officials in need. Their paths crossed whenever a player required attention for post-match injuries, colds, headaches, or other health concerns.

In the medical room, effective communication is essential for proper care. The team must grasp the players' conditions, while players need to clearly understand the treatments being administered.

Navigating linguistic and cultural differences is an integral part of the daily routine.

"The most important lesson I have learned here is about communication. There are language barriers and cultural differences, and we must learn how to interact accordingly," said Dr. Rizal.

This experience has brought the medical team into contact with players from various countries, including the Indonesian national team.

"The experience we've gained is truly unforgettable, as we get to meet and serve players from abroad and even our own national team," he added.

As the tournament draws to a close, Dr. Rizal notes that what will remain after the participants leave goes beyond just the medical records.

"What I will miss most once this event concludes is the euphoria that defined this experience," he said.

Names No Longer Unfamiliar

A distinct dynamic unfolded at the hotel. For participants staying in Kudus for over a week, the hotel became a daily hub for interactions with local staff.

At the Hotel Sapphire Kudus, F&B Manager Andri Santoso coordinated with the designated contact persons and liaison officers well before the arrival of the delegations. Upon arrival, guests were welcomed with a refreshment and escorted to their rooms.

Guests were then introduced to dining areas reserved for their respective countries, including Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and Indonesia.

Following the initial welcome, coordination remained ongoing. Andri was tasked with ensuring that all participants' dietary needs were met daily, covering breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

These repeated encounters meant that the names and faces of the officials gradually became part of the daily routine.

The Saudi Arabian delegation provided a unique experience, as the team brought their own chefs. Since not all members spoke English, translation assistance was required in certain situations.

"The most interesting aspect was certainly the Saudi team, as they preferred to communicate in Arabic. Only a few spoke English, primarily the point of contact," Andri said.

Over the course of more than a week, names like Miss Sahar, Mr. Mohammed, Chef Mohammad Ali, and Chef Ibrahim became very familiar to Andri.

This rapport was built not through a single formal meeting, but through daily necessity. Beyond catering requirements, these interactions evolved into casual conversations during the participants' stay.

Interns Engage with Athletes

At Hotel Sapphire, social interaction also flourished between the athletes and the hotel interns.

With many of the participants being teenagers and the hotel interns sharing a similar age group, they found common ground that transcended the formal boundaries between guests and service staff.

“Since the players are teenagers, it happens that there are interns at Hotel Sapphire, allowing them to interact with people their own age,” Andri explained.

Conversations were not always about soccer. There was a curiosity regarding Indonesian language and culture, alongside small moments that eased the atmosphere during their stay in Kudus.

“There are definitely memorable little moments, such as the humorous quirks from each country,” said Andri.

For hotel staff, the participants gradually evolved from guests into a part of their daily lives during the tournament. For the players, the people they met at the hotel became a different face of their experience while in Kudus.

Kudus from a Guest's Perspective

The relationships formed during the tournament can also be viewed from the participants' side.

Mohammad Hazwan Nizam Fazil, an official for the Malaysia U-17 team, frequently interacted with Firmani, the Liaison Officer. He also became acquainted with Toni, a chef traveling with the team.

However, Hazwan’s experience in Kudus extended beyond the matches and the hotel. He visited the grave of Sunan Kudus, which he described as one of his most memorable experiences.

“The most memorable moment was my visit to the Sunan Kudus grave,” Hazwan said.

He also began to familiarize himself with the atmosphere of Kudus through daily activities. At night, for instance, Hazwan noticed a difference in the city's mood compared to Jakarta.

“The city is somewhat quiet at night, which is why I feel comfortable. I prefer it here rather than in Jakarta because it feels calmer and safer,” he said.

For Hazwan, Kudus ultimately became more than just a match venue. The people he met, the places he visited, and the city's atmosphere became part of his overall experience in Indonesia.

The Caffino Srikandi Merdeka Cup 2026 has concluded. Players and officials have returned to their respective countries, while their hosts have resumed their daily routines.

For several days, strangers shared space, routines, and experiences in Kudus. Not all encounters blossomed into lasting friendships, but the names, faces, and stories from the tournament remain a part of the experience they carry home.

The tournament is over, but for those involved off the pitch, these encounters left their own unique stories about Kudus.

For the people of Kudus involved in the tournament's daily operations, participants who arrived as strangers soon became integral parts of their experience. This bond developed through repeated interactions, casual conversations, and shared daily routines.

Ultimately, the 2026 Srikandi Merdeka Cup extended beyond the pitch. Off the field, individuals who initially crossed paths due to professional obligations built personal connections, carrying home stories about one another from their time in Kudus. (OEB/YSR/FZ/mainkekudus)