KUDUS – The Srikandi Fair, held from August 17 to 23, 2026, at the Rendeng Field in Kudus, served as a community hub during the Caffino Srikandi Merdeka Cup 2026. Kudus Regent Sam’ani Intakoris and Deputy Regent Bellinda Putri Sabrina inaugurated the site, which complements the international girls' youth soccer tournament featuring U-16 teams from various nations.
The fair offers visitors a range of attractions, including games, live music, food vendors, and retail booths. Fans unable to watch matches from the stands can also view live broadcasts on a large screen at the site. The addition of this area has expanded the tournament experience, fostering community engagement beyond the pitch.
On Thursday (8/20/2026), the Jordan U-16 Women's National Team utilized a scheduled rest day to visit the Srikandi Fair. Players and staff explored the booths, participated in games and challenges, purchased souvenirs, and enjoyed local refreshments while listening to live music. The athletes interacted with local residents, posing for photos and singing along with the band, showcasing their team camaraderie off the field.
One of the attractions drawing the attention of the Jordanian women's athletes was the Golden Boot Power Meter. This game measures the force of a kick when the ball strikes a specific target, with results displayed as scores and levels indicating the player's shooting power.
Putra, who manages the Golden Boot Power Meter booth, noted that the Jordanian players inquired about the game's mechanics before participating.
“They approached with curiosity about the game. They asked what it was and what its purpose was. Once we explained that the Golden Boot Power Meter measures the force of a kick upon hitting the target, they immediately wanted to try,” Putra said.
After receiving instructions, the players took turns shooting, observing the figures generated by each attempt.
Putra observed that the players enjoyed the process, largely because the results were available instantly.
“The response was very positive. They were keen to see their stats, so after trying, they could see for themselves exactly how much power and what score they achieved,” said Putra.
After the booth, the group went on to test other games, such as the Soccer Labyrinth and Ring Toss. They did not leave immediately after one game, but rather spent time exploring and trying several of the activities available.
The group’s visit continued at the Bakti Olahraga Djarum Foundation booth, where players participated in a shoot-on-target challenge, with each given three attempts to hit the goal.
Ivanna, a staff member at the Bakti Olahraga Djarum Foundation booth, noted that hitting the target just once was enough to earn participants a sticker.
"They participated in the shoot-on-target challenge. They only needed to hit the target once out of three tries to receive a sticker. They were very enthusiastic and eager to try," Ivanna said.
Due to the high number of participants, the players had to wait their turn, using the time to browse the products available at the booth.
Several players chose shirts and keychains as souvenirs. According to Ivanna, the coaches accompanying the group also made purchases.
"While waiting their turn because so many people were participating, they took turns shopping. Many bought Super Soccer Arena shirts, and some also purchased keychains," she said.
Ivanna estimated that the number of items purchased reached at least 10 pieces.
“If counted, it’s probably around 10 or more. The coaches also joined in to make purchases,” she said.
The activity followed a simple routine: some players participated in challenges, while others waited by browsing or shopping, then rotated back into the games.
After visiting the game and souvenir booths, the group stopped at Darwati's fruit juice stall. The players grabbed refreshments before continuing their activities in the fair area.
Darwati expressed her delight upon discovering her customers were members of the Jordan U-16 national women's team. For vendors at the Srikandi Fair, the visit was a memorable highlight of the event.
The encounter was brief. The players enjoyed refreshments before returning to explore the area, allowing them to engage directly with local vendors at the Rendeng Field.
Following their tour, the players took in a live performance by a local Kudus band, where they requested several songs and joined in the singing.
The group requested "Baby" by Justin Bieber and "The Lazy Song" by Bruno Mars. They also enjoyed "Someone Like You" by Adele, with Coach Luna joining in the performance.
The music provided a relaxing backdrop for the group to unwind after participating in various games and shopping.
Music helped create a relaxed atmosphere during the visit, allowing players and coaches to spend time together outside of their usual tournament competition schedules.
The presence of the Jordanian players drew the attention of Srikandi Fair attendees, with several fans approaching them for photographs.
The players obliged these requests, posing for pictures with visitors throughout their time at the fair.
Cici, a visitor at the Srikandi Fair, noted that the Jordanian players were friendly and engaging with the public.
“They seem very friendly and kind. When asked for a photo, they were happy to oblige. It was a pleasure to see them in person,” Cici said.
For Cici, the interaction offered a rare chance to see the athletes in a setting outside of their competitive matches.
"They are friendly and kind to visitors," she said.
Short interactions, such as taking photos, helped bridge the gap between the tournament participants and visitors at the Srikandi Fair.
For the Jordan U-16 women's national team, the visit to the Srikandi Fair served as a break during the Caffino Srikandi Merdeka Cup 2026. With no match scheduled that afternoon, the players used their downtime for more leisurely activities.
They tested their shooting power at the Golden Boot Power Meter game and participated in challenges to win souvenirs at the Djarum Foundation Sports booth. Afterward, the players enjoyed fruit juice, listened to music, and interacted with fairgoers.
These activities allowed the players to connect with the local community, including event staff, booth operators, vendors, and visitors, offering a relaxed environment outside the competitive arena.
Beyond the casual activities, the Jordan team has officially secured a spot in the semifinals following their final Group B match against the Nusantara women's national team. Despite scoring only one goal in the deciding game, Jordan advanced based on goal productivity. This result sets the stage for a semifinal showdown between Jordan and Garuda Pertiwi, scheduled for Friday, August 21, 2026, at the Supersoccer Arena in Kudus.
As the afternoon concluded, the delegation left Rendeng Field to return to their scheduled activities. For the players, the visit served as a brief respite during their time in Kudus—an opportunity to enjoy games, music, souvenirs, and community interaction before refocusing on their competitive campaign. (SNS/redmkk/mainkekudus)
