The Legacy of the Caffino Srikandi Merdeka Cup for Kudus and Indonesian Women's Football

KUDUS – The trophies have been awarded. Athletes who traveled to Kudus from day one for the competition are packing their bags to return home. The pitch, which for ten days buzzed with matches, cheering crowds, and team activity, is slowly returning to its quiet state.

However, the experience of the Caffino Srikandi Merdeka Cup 2026 goes beyond the final whistle. Seven nations brought young players, coaches, officials, and their own unique stories to Kudus. They competed, lived together, engaged with the community, explored the local surroundings, and participated in activities beyond the field.

As they depart, they carry more than just luggage. For the athletes, the experience of facing international opponents marks a significant chapter in their development. For the people of Kudus, the presence of teams from seven nations offered a rare opportunity to witness international women's football firsthand. For the region of Kudus, hosting this event served as a milestone in demonstrating its capacity to organize international sports competitions and contribute to the growth of sports tourism.

Players Carry Home Stories from Kudus

For Nur Qalaysha Qaisara, the journey with the Malaysia U-16 national team was about more than just the games. The 16-year-old center-back fondly recalled the camaraderie built during their two-week stay in Kudus.

The trip was defined by group bus rides filled with singing, shared meals, and opportunities to engage with local culture—including a hands-on experience in batik making.

These activities took place between competition schedules. For young athletes who spend the majority of their time training and competing, these off-field experiences are integral to their lasting memories of the trip.

“We are the Malaysian team. We did so many things together, competed together, and ate together. For me, these memories are hard to forget,” said Qalaysha.

The Jordanian players returned home with different stories. Alma Odai Yousef Alsaify, a striker for the Jordan U-16 national women's team, focused on the warm reception they received from the local community throughout their stay in Indonesia.

While strict dietary requirements limited the players' ability to explore local cuisine, the opportunity to meet the public and experience Indonesia left a profound impression on her.

"I want to thank the fans here and the people of Indonesia. Honestly, Indonesia is a place I would love to visit again for an official vacation," said Alma.

Kawinthida Kikuntod of the Thailand U-16 women's national team also had her own experience. Between matches, she visited a supermarket in Kudus and sampled local fried chicken.

Such simple experiences are part of a journey that won't be found in match reports. The players arrived as competition participants, but during their stay in Kudus, they also became a part of the daily life in the host city.

International Competition Shapes Players

These experiences align with the tournament's primary goal: providing young players with the opportunity to face opponents from different nations.

Fadilla, an Indonesian U-16 women's national team striker from Batubara Regency, North Sumatra, felt this impact firsthand. After competing against teams from outside Indonesia, she noted that she gained broader playing experience and learned to be more assertive on the field.

"I am very happy that we did our best for the officials and the coaches. Here, my playing experience has been enriched, and I've learned to be more assertive with my teammates. I am very proud to represent Indonesia to this point," said Fadilla.

Such experiences are essential for players still in the development stage. They are not only contending with the technical abilities of their opponents but also adapting to match situations, pressure, communication, and playing styles that may differ from the competitions they usually participate in.

Malaysia U-16 national team head coach, Fairuz Montana Zainal Abidin, hopes his squad will leverage their experience in Kudus upon returning home. He urged the players to use the tournament as motivation while maintaining their professional conduct.

"For upcoming tournaments, I hope they carry their Kudus experience forward as motivation and a positive building block. They are all still very young," Fairuz said.

For the Thailand U-16 girls' national team, the Kudus tournament also serves as preparation for future assignments. Head coach Thidarat Wiwasukhu stated her team will enter a training camp to prepare for the AFC U-17 qualifiers.

"We are certainly preparing for the AFC U-17 qualifiers, which will be held in Thailand. We will begin our training camp next month, with our ultimate goal being to prepare for the World Cup," said Thidarat.

Each team leaves with different takeaways: some with technical evaluations, others with experience against international opponents, and some with lasting memories of the host city.

Development Beyond the Tournament

For Indonesia, the experience of competing against seven nations is part of a broader discourse on women's football development.

Garuda Pertiwi Indonesia U-16 girls' national team head coach, Timo Scheunemann, emphasized that player growth requires consistent, tiered competition. Athletes must have opportunities to play from a young age before advancing to football academies and higher-level competitions.

"The more they play, the better it is, and it is crucial that the development is tiered. We encourage tournaments between elementary schools, followed by participation in football academies," explained Timo.

According to Timo, playing experience must be balanced with character development. He noted that Indonesian players consistently demonstrate a resilient mentality in every match, refusing to carry themselves as stars.

For young players, the experience in the Srikandi Merdeka Cup is not an isolated event. The tournament is part of a long-term process that requires routine competition, club and school training, and opportunities to face opponents with varying skill levels and playing styles.

This is where the value of international competition extends beyond the final score. Players gain the chance to assess their abilities in diverse situations and carry those lessons into the next stage of their development.

Kudus Gains Experience as Host

The Srikandi Merdeka Cup also provided Kudus with valuable experience as a host city. For ten days, the city served as home and hub for teams from seven Asian nations.

Caffino Srikandi Merdeka Cup Program Director Teddy Tjahjono described the event as the culmination of the Women’s Soccer Trilogy. He also highlighted the consistent support from the public, who filled the stands throughout the tournament.

"The Caffino Srikandi Merdeka Cup is the culmination of the Women’s Soccer trilogy that we had planned. We are grateful for the support of the community, which always packed the stands," said Teddy.

This enthusiasm is among the experiences participants have embraced while in Kudus. The international women's football tournament was held not only before teams and match officials but was also witnessed firsthand by the local community.

From the local government's perspective, Widoro Heriyanto, Head of the Sports Division at the Kudus Regency Education, Youth, and Sports Office, noted that the arrival of international guests has had a significant impact across multiple sectors.

"This may be the first time such an international-scale tournament has been held in Kudus Regency, in Central Java, or perhaps even in Indonesia. I believe the arrival of international guests has a very broad impact on sports performance, MSMEs, and tourism," Widoro stated.

The event highlights the synergy between sports and local economic activity. Players and officials require lodging, food, transportation, and various services during their stay in Kudus, while the community gains the opportunity to watch matches and interact with the participants.

Seven Nations Provide New Experiences for the Community

The participation of seven nations has brought international women's football closer to the people of Kudus. Children who may have only seen women's football on screen can now watch peers compete in person.

This experience is vital because the sport's growth depends not only on those already within formal training systems, but also on the interest sparked in young spectators who watch, connect with players, and eventually feel inspired to play themselves.

A broader ecosystem is mobilized around these matches, bringing together athletes and coaches with officials, volunteers, venue managers, local residents, schools, clubs, and local business owners.

These interactions give a competition life beyond the field. Players rely on support to compete, spectators require space to watch, and local businesses are given the opportunity to thrive during the event.

For Kudus, this experience serves as a foundation to assess future improvements for hosting international sporting events. While a single event provides an initial benchmark, sustained success requires consistent competitions, athlete development, facility readiness, community engagement, and a continued connection between sports and other sectors.

After Seven Nations Depart Kudus

As the players return to their home countries, the true impact extends beyond match results.

Qalaysha departs with memories of team camaraderie and the experience of making batik. Alma carries impressions of the Indonesian community and a desire to return. Kawinthida takes home stories of simple moments in Kudus, while Fadilla gains valuable experience as a young Indonesian player. Coaches leave with detailed notes for future preparations.

The community of Kudus gained the unique opportunity to watch female players from seven countries compete firsthand. Local children had the chance to witness international matches up close, while business owners and organizers gained valuable experience in managing an event with diverse international participation.

Meanwhile, Kudus has strengthened its credentials as an international women’s football host, highlighting the synergy between sports, tourism, society, and the local economy.

Ultimately, the legacy of the Srikandi Merdeka Cup is not defined solely by the handing over of a trophy. It resides in the experiences the players took home, the knowledge shared by coaches, the inspiration imparted to children, and the insights Kudus gained as part of the international women’s football journey.

Although the final whistle closed the competition, the ten-day experience remains with all involved. Players carry home international experience, the public had the chance to watch women’s football on a global scale, and Kudus has gained a new milestone in its quest to develop sports and sports tourism.

Future actions will determine whether this experience remains just a singular tournament story or becomes part of a long-term developmental journey. (JMY/ITN/mainkekudus)