KUDUS — A tower constructed from shuttlecocks collapsed several times before it could finally be rebuilt. At other game stations, children scrambled to direct shuttlecocks toward targets, racing against the clock and repeating drills when efforts fell short. Occasional laughter erupted whenever they struggled to complete a challenge, while friends and teachers cheered them on from the sidelines.
This lively scene defined the MilkLife Festival SenengMinton Kudus 2026, held at the PB Djarum Jati sports hall in Kudus on October 17–18, 2026. For elementary school students in grades 1 through 3, the festival offered more than just an introduction to badminton; it provided an opportunity to overcome obstacles, experience a competitive environment, and enjoy time with peers.
A total of 360 students from 24 schools in Kudus Regency participated in the event, organized by the Bakti Olahraga Djarum Foundation in collaboration with the Kudus chapter of the PBSI (Badminton Association of Indonesia). The students navigated various stations designed to test precision, coordination, agility, and racquet control.
Mahatma Gavin Gita Palupi, a student at MIN Kudus, was among those who embraced the festival’s diverse challenges. While recounting his experience, he worked to recall the names of the games he had just attempted.
“SenengMinton, I played minton, service, service, shadow, and what else? Stacking shuttlecocks, training, running. The most fun part was the service because I could do it. The hardest was the traveling, but I eventually managed it,” said Gavin.
For Gavin, the serving station was the most enjoyable because he succeeded, while other challenges required him to persevere before he could master them.
The festival featured a variety of game stations, ranging from Service Ring, Pyramid Shuttlecock, Wall Volleying, Shuttle Run, and Target, to shadow and drive drills. Each station presented a unique challenge, ensuring that participants relied not only on their ability to strike the shuttlecock but also on their accuracy and coordination.
The festival experience has piqued Gavin’s interest in pursuing the sport more seriously. While he did not have any humorous anecdotes, he expressed genuine enjoyment of the activities and a desire for more rigorous training.
“Nothing funny happened, it was just fun and exciting. Yes, I want to (train more seriously in the future),” he said.
His simple answer underscores that a rewarding experience does not always require lighthearted moments. For Gavin, the opportunity to experiment with various games and overcome the hurdles involved was more than enough to make the festival a memorable experience.
Rania Adzkya Putri, a third-grade student at MI NU Nurus Shofa, secured third place in her second appearance at the 2026 MilkLife Festival SenengMinton Kudus. For her, mastering the drive shot proved to be both the most engaging and difficult challenge, as it requires precise hand-eye coordination and shot accuracy.
“It was exciting. I’ve participated twice now. We did serving and shadow drills. The most exciting part was the drive, but it was also the hardest,” she said.
Beyond refining her technique, Rania also faced the challenge of building a shuttlecock tower, which required several attempts.
“I had to keep restarting when building the shuttlecock tower,” she shared.
Despite her podium finish, Rania admitted she was not fully satisfied. She expressed disappointment that she might be unable to compete in next year’s festival due to grade eligibility restrictions. Nevertheless, her passion for badminton remains strong, fueled by her dream of becoming a professional athlete like her idol, Anthony Sinisuka Ginting.
“I can’t do it anymore since I’m already in third grade. It’s a shame to only get third place. My dream is to be a professional badminton player, like Ginting. I’ll keep playing,” she said.
This experience serves as a foundation for Rania as she continues to hone her skills and pursue her athletic ambitions in badminton.
An interest in badminton has also grown in Muhammad Fikri Maulana, a student at MI Baitul Mukminin Getas Pejaten who reached the final round of the festival.
According to his father, Yanuar Dwi Ariwibowo, Fikri’s interest was sparked by extracurricular activities at school. Previously, Fikri spent most of his time riding his bike and playing with friends.
That interest blossomed, leading Fikri to ask for his own racket to practice more frequently at school. Yanuar fully supports his son’s dedication to the sport.
“He started with the school’s badminton extracurricular program, which sparked his interest. Seeing his enthusiasm, I decided to support his wishes. Thankfully, he was selected to participate in the Djarum fun badminton competition,” said Yanuar.
Leading up to the festival, Fikri trained daily for one week. For Yanuar, the preparation period was not just about getting his son ready for the competition, but also a chance to observe positive changes in his daily habits.
“As a parent, I am truly proud. He has such high spirits. Even though he had to leave early for practice, he remained committed throughout that full week of training for the competition,” he added.
Yanuar also noted that Fikri has become more disciplined with his training schedule, observing that his son now prepares himself without constant reminders.
“There is a visible shift in his discipline. The coaching likely emphasized the importance of structure, which helped build his character. Now, when it is time to leave, he is always ready without needing to be urged,” he continued.
These improvements have been a source of pride for Yanuar, who also noted that Fikri’s mid-semester exam results remain strong, with some scores reaching 100 and a low of 86.
For the family, Fikri’s participation in the festival is an essential part of supporting his interests. What began as an extracurricular activity has now provided him with the opportunity to practice more consistently and test his skills in a competitive arena.
The festival's excitement extended beyond the playing area. In the stands, students accompanied by their schools cheered on their classmates during the matches.
Muhammad Ghofarul, a teacher from MI NU Miftahul Ulum Loram Kulon, observed that this enthusiasm grew steadily from the preparation phase through to the event. According to him, the festival provided a valuable opportunity for students to learn how to support their peers in competition.
“They were truly happy and enthusiastic. This event is a great way to boost their creativity, especially in how they show support for their friends competing in the badminton matches,” said Ghofarul.
Training the children to be supporters also required patience, he noted. Initially, some students found it difficult to follow instructions and synchronize their movements.
“At first, the children thought it was too hard, and organizing them took time. However, in just one week, they achieved excellent results, even winning first place in the supporter category,” he recalled.
In just about a week, the school's supporter group secured first place in the supporters' category. The result served as a valuable learning experience for students who initially needed time to understand their roles.
For Ghofarul, the highlight extended beyond the competition results. He observed how the children continued to offer encouragement whenever their peers made mistakes or faced challenges they could not immediately overcome.
Following their performance, the supporters returned to cheering for their friends and junior peers in ongoing matches. Support was offered from the sidelines, even when participants encountered difficulties.
At their school, student interest in athletics is fostered through extracurricular activities, including badminton, soccer, girls' soccer, and table tennis. Participating in the festival offered them an opportunity to engage in sports alongside their friends.
For Gavin, the festival inspired a desire to train more seriously. Rania left with the experience of competing and a renewed drive to improve technical skills, while Fikri had the chance to test his training progress with family support.
Meanwhile, the supporter group learned to coordinate their efforts and provide collective encouragement. These experiences demonstrate that the children's involvement in the festival extended far beyond the final competition standings.
At the GOR PB Djarum Jati, the action featured successful serves, complex shuttlecock stacking challenges, difficult drive shots, and boisterous cheers from the sidelines. Through the various games and obstacles, the children had the opportunity to explore badminton more deeply while enjoying the process with their peers. (JMY/mainkekudus)
