KUDUS — Kudus Regency has once again become a focal point for national women's football development with the launch of the Women's Soccer Trilogy. This initiative aims to build a sustainable ecosystem for women's football while promoting sports activities that generate positive impacts across various local sectors.
The Women's Soccer Trilogy was launched at the Simpang Tujuh Kudus square on Sunday (June 21, 2026), coinciding with the city's Car Free Day (CFD). Thousands of residents packed the downtown area to attend the opening ceremony for the tournament series, which will run through August 2026.
Kudus Deputy Regent Bellinda Putri Sabrina Birton, joined by officials from the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda), officially opened the event. The launch ceremony featured the unveiling of a giant Women's Soccer Trilogy icon, followed by a dribbling procession around the Simpang Tujuh square.
The Women's Soccer Trilogy is a series of tiered women's football competitions held from June through August 2026. The program features the MilkLife Soccer Challenge All Stars from June 23–28, 2026; the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026 from July 5–12, 2026; and the Srikandi Merdeka Cup, the culminating tournament featuring domestic and international women's teams.
These three tournaments serve as part of a continuous development pipeline for young female athletes who have previously participated in various grassroots training programs.
In her remarks, Deputy Regent Bellinda Putri Sabrina Birton expressed her gratitude to the Djarum Foundation for selecting Kudus Regency as the host for this series of events.
According to Bellinda, the tournament does more than provide a platform for athletes; it also offers significant economic potential for the community, benefiting the hospitality sector, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and other supporting services.
"Certainly, this event not only promotes sports but will also stimulate the economy in Kudus Regency. Everything from hotel accommodations to MSMEs will benefit. We thank the Djarum Foundation for providing such a positive impact on the community," she said.
Bellinda also encouraged the public to support the event by maintaining security, order, and cleanliness throughout the proceedings.
"Let us ensure the success of this event by maintaining security, order, and a clean environment. To the athletes, keep up your spirits, maintain sportsmanship, and use this opportunity to build new connections and foster teamwork," she added.
MilkLife Soccer Challenge (MLSC) Program Director Teddy Tjahjono explained that the Women’s Soccer Trilogy is designed as part of a tiered development pathway for Indonesian female soccer players. Through this program, young athletes have the chance to further their skill development at higher levels of competition.
According to Teddy, the existence of the HYDROPLUS Soccer League and the Srikandi Merdeka Cup serves as a continuation of the development process established through the MilkLife Soccer Challenge.
"Our young athletes in the HYDROPLUS Soccer League now have a further platform, the Srikandi Merdeka Cup. This is a golden opportunity for them to potentially represent the Indonesia U-16 National Team against teams from six other countries," explained Teddy.
He added that organizers are also making ongoing preparations to support the tournament, including the installation of field lighting. This measure is intended to allow Srikandi Merdeka Cup matches to be held in the evening, thereby reaching a wider audience through live broadcasts.
As part of the development program, Teddy noted that players who demonstrate superior performance in the MilkLife Soccer Challenge will have the opportunity to gain international competitive experience.
“We plan to send the top players from the MilkLife Soccer Challenge to The SingaCup on November 2, 2026. Looking ahead, we intend to expand the MilkLife Soccer Challenge and Hydroplus Soccer League to more cities to broaden participation,” he stated.
The Women's Soccer Trilogy has attracted significant interest not only from the local community in Kudus but also from participants across Indonesia. Among the teams taking part is an All Stars squad from Samarinda.
Samarinda All Stars coach Taufik Hidayat expressed his admiration for the community's enthusiasm for women's football in Kudus, noting that the atmosphere reflects strong support for the sport's growth.
Taufik explained that his team underwent two months of rigorous preparation, focusing on technical skills, physical conditioning, and team cohesion to face competitors from diverse regions.
“The girls have shown remarkable progress. Our primary goal is to play well and boost motivation. If things go our way, we are certainly aiming for a top-three finish,” he said.
Players also expressed optimism ahead of the tournament. Adiba Sanas Primayoga of the Samarinda All Stars shared that she and her teammates have been training three times a week in preparation for the competition.
According to Adiba, the coaching staff has emphasized discipline and teamwork throughout the training process. She hopes her team can deliver their best performance in the tournament.
“The coach emphasizes discipline and unity. We definitely hope to win because we have traveled a long way, and we hope for success,” she added.
The Women's Soccer Trilogy adds to the growing list of national-scale sporting events hosted in Kudus in recent years. These tournaments serve not only as a platform for athletes but also as a catalyst for broader community engagement.
The series of matches, spanning nearly three months, is expected to draw athletes, coaches, officials, families, and spectators from across the country. This influx of visitors has the potential to boost local sectors, including transportation, hospitality, dining, and small businesses.
Through the Women’s Soccer Trilogy, Kudus serves not only as a host for the tournament but also as a hub for the sustainable development of Indonesian women’s football. With the collaboration of organizers, local government officials, coaches, and athletes, this competition series aims to cultivate young talent and pave the way for future professional careers in the sport. (JMY/mainkekudus)