KUDUS – Volleyball has a unique way of bringing people together in one arena. Players engage in tactical battles on the court, coaches monitor team development, and spectators follow every rally with enthusiasm. This atmosphere defined the Dandim Cup 0722/Kudus, which brought together clubs from various regions from October 9–11, 2026.
Held to celebrate the 81st anniversary of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the tournament featured 16 men's clubs. Several teams were reinforced by players with national and international experience, offering clubs a chance to test their skills while providing high-quality entertainment for the public.
In the final standings, Tabarruk emerged as the champion after defeating Sukun Badak 3-0. Porvit secured third place after a 2-0 victory over Pijar Salatiga.
However, the Dandim Cup is about more than just match results. The competition serves as a platform for players to gain experience, for coaches to evaluate their teams, and for the public to enjoy live volleyball action.
Event organizer Muhammad Rizal Muzaki explained that the Dandim Cup was held to commemorate the TNI anniversary and fulfill the desire of Kodim 0722/Kudus to revive the volleyball tournament tradition from previous years.
“This tournament was held to celebrate the 81st anniversary of the TNI. Additionally, the local military command (Kodim) wanted to bring back the volleyball tournament tradition established in previous years,” Rizal explained.
This year, the competition operated as an open tournament. A total of 16 clubs from Kudus, Salatiga, Boyolali, Grobogan, Demak, Gunungkidul, Karanganyar, and Jepara participated.
Participating clubs included ABV Abimanyu from Boyolali, Boiler AL from Demak, Bhayangkara Muda from Grobogan, Ganeksa Bhumikarta from Gunungkidul, Jatema from Jepara, and Lereng Lawu from Karanganyar. Kudus also sent several representatives, including Tabarruk, Porvit, Sukun Badak, Sukun Badak Junior, Mustika Abadi, Senopati, and Votka.
The tournament employs a knockout format divided into two pools, each consisting of eight teams. The organizing committee maintained direct communication with the clubs invited to compete. Several teams featured professional players recruited from outside the region.
Chairman of the All-Indonesia Volleyball Association (PBVSI) for Kudus, HM Rinduwan, stated that such tournaments foster the development of the sport by providing players with competitive experience and the opportunity to gauge their skills.
"Tournaments like this are vital for volleyball development. Beyond competition, these events support athlete training by offering match practice and a chance to assess player ability," Rinduwan said.
In addition to the matches, organizers hosted musical performances during the grand final, with daily prize raffles held to bolster the event's excitement.
For outside hitter Made Harin Mayena of Sukun Badak, the electric atmosphere of the Dandim Cup was a highlight of the tournament, noting the strong public enthusiasm for the sport throughout the competition.
"The match atmosphere was intense and the crowd was incredibly lively," Made noted.
Although Sukun Badak entered the tournament aiming for the championship title, they faced significant challenges against teams bolstered by national-level talent.
"Our goal was to perform at our best and secure the title. The competition was tough because of the strong teams reinforced by national players," he added.
The final showdown pitted Tabarruk against Sukun Badak, with Tabarruk taking the first set 25-21 and the second 25-20, before closing out the victory with a 25-17 win in the third set.
The 3-0 victory secured the Dandim Cup 2026 championship for Tabarruk, with Sukun Badak taking runner-up honors. Porvit rounded out the podium after defeating Pijar Salatiga 25-23 and 25-21.
Timofei Sokolov, the Moscow-born athlete playing for Tabarruk, cited team cohesion as a decisive factor in their victory. He noted that effective coordination among teammates allowed Tabarruk to orchestrate their offense and maintain momentum throughout the match.
“I believe the key was our team spirit. We know each other well. The setter understands how to deliver the right passes and set up play,” he said.
Sokolov also highlighted Fakhri as a key figure on the team, though he emphasized that the victory was a collective effort, including contributions from Jason and the rest of the squad.
For Sokolov, competing in Kudus proved to be a positive experience. He expressed appreciation for the hospitality and the vocal support from the spectators throughout the tournament.
“I didn’t feel any pressure. In fact, I felt right at home. I could feel the crowd’s support, and I enjoyed the atmosphere,” he added.
The competition also serves as valuable preparation for Porvit Kudus as they gear up for the Provincial Sports Week (Porprov). Porvit coach Zahrul Anam noted that the team began its training camp approximately two weeks prior to the interview, utilizing the Dandim Cup to assess the squad's progress.
“We are using the Dandim Cup to assess player performance and identify areas for improvement. These matches help us determine what adjustments are needed ahead of Porprov,” Zahrul said.
While most players have joined the preparations, some remain unavailable due to university league schedules. Athletes working or residing outside the city have also been called up to bolster the roster.
Zahrul emphasized that competitive matches offer unique experiences that training cannot replicate, forcing players to make split-second decisions under pressure while reading opponent strategies.
Porvit aims to reach the final and secure the championship title. Zahrul identified Tabarruk and the senior Sukun Badak squad as formidable opponents, noting their recruitment of external players.
“Playing against clubs from outside Kudus is vital for gaining experience and improving match fitness. It allows players to build mental toughness and elevate their overall gameplay,” he added.
Dwi Frasilianto, the head referee for the final, echoed the importance of competitive experience in player development. He noted that matches featuring national and international-caliber athletes require all stakeholders to perform at their best.
“This final is highly engaging and entertaining. The quality of play is exceptional due to the presence of top-tier national and international talent,” Dwi stated.
In such high-intensity matches, officials must maintain consistency and focus, remaining impartial regardless of crowd pressure or player reputations.
“As the head referee, the biggest challenge is maintaining focus amidst an intense crowd atmosphere and a tight game. We must remain consistent and neutral to avoid any critical errors,” he explained.
Dwi expressed hope that tournaments like the Dandim Cup continue, providing opportunities for more young athletes, including those from rural or peripheral areas, to develop.
Among the spectators, Kristiyana traveled from Jepara with his wife to support their son, Muhammad Choirusifa Raditya, who plays for Sukun Badak Junior.
As a parent of an athlete, Kristiyana views competitions like the Dandim Cup as a vital opportunity for young players to gain experience by facing broader, more diverse competition.
"In my view, competitions like this are excellent for developing junior athletes. They gain valuable match experience and become increasingly motivated to improve their skills," he said.
He expressed hope that volleyball tournaments in Kudus and the surrounding regions will continue to grow, providing more opportunities for young athletes to hone their talents.
Similar enthusiasm was evident among spectators who attended to watch top-tier players in person. Rokhmat, a Kudus resident supporting Tabarruk, attended the final match specifically to see national athletes up close.
"The match was exciting and intense. I came because I wanted to see the national players in person. These opportunities are rare, so it is a pleasure to watch them play from up close," Rokhmat said.
The powerful spikes from Rivan Nurmulki and Jason's performance as the playmaker were highlights for him. According to Rokhmat, witnessing the match live offers a unique experience, allowing spectators to observe player movements and feel the intensity of each point firsthand.
He hopes similar tournaments will be held more frequently in Kudus, rather than only for specific commemorative events.
"I hope matches like this are held more often in Kudus, not just for special anniversaries. Beyond entertainment, these tournaments offer the community a chance to see high-quality players directly," he added.
Kodim 0722/Kudus Commander Lt. Col. Arh Yuusufa Allan Andriasie, S.Sos., M.Han., assessed that the competition throughout the 2026 Dandim Cup was well-balanced. He noted the potential of volleyball players in Kudus and the surrounding areas, particularly during the semifinal round featuring four teams.
“The competition was highly competitive and well-balanced. The semifinals were particularly strong, with four teams showcasing high-quality play and featuring experienced athletes,” he noted.
Organizers also highlighted the significant public enthusiasm, with an estimated 1,300 spectators attending the final match. Yuusufa hopes the Dandim Cup will become an annual event, serving as a platform for the community to engage through sports.
“We hope the Dandim Cup can be established as an annual tradition. We want the military district to serve as a space for the community to gather through positive activities, while encouraging the younger generation to take a greater interest in volleyball,” he said.
He added that he hopes the competition will help showcase the talent of Kudus athletes to coaches and scouts in attendance. Furthermore, the event's turnout is expected to provide a positive economic impact for local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
