KUDUS – Badminton activity remains vibrant at the Djarum Arena in Kaliputu, Kudus Regency. Used for decades, this facility has played a pivotal role in the evolution of badminton development in the region.
Beyond serving as a training ground for PB Djarum athletes, Djarum Arena is also utilized for public exercises, community events, and local sports development programs.
The venue’s utility has expanded further, hosting a range of sporting tournaments. These include national-level competitions like the 2025 Martial Arts PON, as well as regional events such as the HYDROPLUS Bupati Cup XX 2026, held from August 17–22, 2026.
Christanto Nugroho, Community Development representative for the Bakti Olahraga Djarum Foundation, stated that the facility first opened in 1982 for PB Djarum athletic training. Originally named GOR Djarum, it was later rebranded as Djarum Arena.
"Historically, the Djarum Arena in Kaliputu we use today was first operational in 1982. It has been actively used for PB Djarum athletic training," said Christanto.
The Kaliputu arena was the second gymnasium built by PB Djarum, following their facility in the Bitingan Lama area. Its construction marked a significant milestone in the development of badminton training infrastructure in Kudus.
During its tenure as a training center, the arena hosted athletes who later achieved national and international success.
The history of PB Djarum includes legends such as Alan Budikusuma, a 1992 Barcelona Olympic gold medalist; All England champion Haryanto Arbi; and world champions Sigit Budiarto and Candra Wijaya.
6V43+V7G, Kudus, Bacin, Kec. Bae, Kabupaten Kudus, Jawa Tengah 59325, Indonesia
These athletes are part of the long legacy of development that took place in Kaliputu. However, the venue’s relevance endured even after the PB Djarum training center relocated.
Since 2006, the PB Djarum athlete training center has relocated from Kaliputu to the Djarum Sports Hall (GOR) in Jati and Jakarta. The facility is now utilized for local community badminton training.
This shift in purpose has ensured the continued activity of the sports hall. The facility serves not only professional athletes but also hosts local sports clubs and youth development programs.
Yusril Ihza Fahrizal, GOR manager and official with the Kudus Regency chapter of the All Indonesia Badminton Association (PBSI), confirmed that routine badminton activities continue in Arena 1.
"This year, the facility is used daily by PB Djarum athletes for morning and afternoon training," said Yusril.
In addition to PB Djarum athletes, affiliated schools also hold training sessions on Wednesdays and Fridays. Saturdays are reserved for local Kudus clubs under the supervision of the Kudus PBSI.
"Arena 1 is in constant use for badminton activities every day," he added.
The arena attracts a diverse range of users, including athletes undergoing structured training programs, coaches, development clubs, and children learning the sport.
PB Ngudi Berkah Kudus is one of the clubs that utilizes Arena 1. Club coach Adimas Bintang oversees approximately 80 youth players, with roughly 30 attending any single training session at the arena.
For Adimas, the arena is an integral part of the club’s development process. The court conditions, lighting, size, and supporting facilities are all essential elements that enhance training activities.
However, the arena's function extends beyond practice. When competitions are held, athletes have the opportunity to apply their training experience to match situations.
According to Adimas, championships like the HYDROPLUS Bupati Cup are vital for young athletes as they provide competitive experience and encourage more consistent training.
“This championship is very important for the clubs involved. The Bupati Cup motivates the children to train harder and continue to develop,” he said.
The competition also serves as a stepping stone toward regional championships in Central Java. For clubs, these matches offer a chance to gauge athlete progress following their regular training routines.
The HYDROPLUS Bupati Cup XX 2026 is not the first event held at the Kaliputu sports hall (GOR). Yusril noted that the tournament is a routine part of PBSI Kudus’ development agenda, marking its 20th year.
“This is the 20th event. It happens annually, except during the COVID-19 pandemic when all sporting events were postponed,” he explained.
The return of competitive events means activity at the sports hall now extends beyond the court. Athletes, coaches, families, officials, match staff, and spectators all converge on the same space.
For a sports arena, such conditions expand the utility of the space. While the courts serve as the field of play, the surrounding areas become a gathering point for individuals with various interests in the sport.
Management also conducts thorough match preparations, including safety checks for equipment such as nets and umpire chairs.
Christanto stated that Arena 1 features 11 courts. Renovations are in the final stages, with five courts now fitted with mats, while the remaining six still utilize parquet flooring.
"For the matches, we will be able to utilize 11 courts—five with synthetic mats and six with wooden parquet flooring," he explained.
The renovation also introduces new features, including air conditioning and a videotron. Simultaneously, management is finalizing the removal of construction debris to ensure the arena is safe for participants, most of whom are children.
Among those training at Arena 1 is eight-year-old Rageeta Disya Farizana. Despite her age, she has spent nearly three years training with the PB Ngudi Berkah Kudus club.
Rageeta began her training at age five. Her interest in badminton was self-initiated, supported by her parents, with her father regularly accompanying her to practice sessions.
She expressed her enthusiasm for training at Arena 1, citing its atmosphere and facilities.
"The venue is great. The facilities are excellent, and it's fun having many friends here," Rageeta said.
Rageeta is set to compete in the Primary Early Childhood category at the 2026 HYDROPLUS Regent Cup. When asked about her participation, she shyly replied, "I'm competing."
For players her age, tournaments provide a vital opportunity to experience conditions beyond routine training. They begin to learn how to face opponents, adhere to match regulations, and acclimate to the environment of a competitive court.
Such experiences are integral to development. Athletes grow not only through training but also through the chance to compete and interact with players from other clubs.
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Originally, the arena served as a key training site for PB Djarum. Following the relocation of the athlete training center in 2006, the court continued to host badminton activities for the local community and clubs. Today, tournaments have returned the facility to its competitive roots.
On a broader scale, competitive events drive foot traffic to the surrounding area. Athletes and coaches travel for matches, families accompany their children, and local residents attend as spectators. These activities have become an integral part of the sports tourism industry growing through athletic events in Kudus.
A match, therefore, extends beyond the two players on the court. It involves clubs preparing athletes, coaches providing guidance, families offering support, organizers managing the proceedings, and spectators watching from the sidelines.
The sports hall serves as a central hub for these activities.
Yusril expressed hope that the presence of competitions in Kaliputu would create opportunities for new athletes from Kudus to emerge.
“We hope this event will unearth new talent. As we know, Kudus has historically been a wellspring for Indonesia’s badminton prospects,” he said.
That expectation aligns with the training activities held every week. Children attend practice sessions, coaches provide guidance, clubs execute their programs, and tournaments offer a platform for players to put their training to the test.
On these same courts, the story of badminton in Kudus continues to evolve. Athletes who trained here in the past have gone on to their own journeys, while young players like Rageeta are just beginning theirs.
More than four decades after its inception in 1982, the Djarum Kaliputu sports hall remains a dedicated space for badminton. Its purpose has shifted with the times, yet it continues to facilitate training, development, and competition.
The HYDROPLUS Bupati Cup XX 2026 stands as a moment where history and contemporary activity intersect within the same arena. From its origins as a training ground for PB Djarum athletes to its current role as a venue for youth competition, the Kaliputu facility continues to serve generations of players.
This journey underscores that the significance of a sports arena extends beyond its list of past competitors. As long as the courts remain active for training, clubs continue their development programs, and young athletes arrive with rackets in hand, a sports tradition finds the space to endure. (OEB/mainkekudus)
