Djarum Arena Kaliputu

KUDUS – Badminton activity remains vibrant at the Djarum Arena in Kaliputu, Kudus Regency. Used for decades, this facility has played a pivotal role throughout the history of badminton development in Kudus.

In addition to serving as a training ground for PB Djarum athletes, Djarum Arena is utilized for community activities and local sports club development.

The facility's function has since expanded, now hosting various sporting tournaments. These range from national-level competitions, such as the 2025 PON Martial Arts event, to regional contests like the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026 and the HYDROPLUS Bupati Cup XX 2026, held from August 17–22, 2026.

PB Djarum’s Second Gymnasium

Christanto Nugroho, Community Development head at the Bakti Olahraga Djarum Foundation, stated that the facility began operations in 1982 as a training site for PB Djarum athletes. Originally named GOR Djarum, it was later rebranded as Djarum Arena.

“Historically, the Djarum Arena in Kaliputu that we use today first opened in 1982. It was actively used for PB Djarum training programs,” Christanto explained.

The Kaliputu arena was the second gymnasium built by PB Djarum, following the facility in the Bitingan Lama area. Its construction marked a significant milestone in the development of badminton infrastructure in Kudus at the time.

Throughout its history as a training center, the arena fostered numerous athletes who went on to achieve national and international success.

PB Djarum’s records include Alan Budikusuma, a 1992 Barcelona Olympic gold medalist; All England champion Haryanto Arbi; and world champions Sigit Budiarto and Candra Wijaya.

These athletes are part of the long development journey that took place in Kaliputu. However, the arena’s legacy continued even after the main PB Djarum training center was relocated.

Community Hub

Since 2006, the PB Djarum athlete training center has moved from Kaliputu to the Djarum sports halls (GOR) in Jati and Jakarta. The Kaliputu facility has since been repurposed for local community badminton training.

This change in function has ensured the arena remains active. It is used not only by professional athletes but also serves as a training ground for sports clubs and youth development programs.

Yusril Ihza Fahrizal, GOR manager and administrator for the Kudus Regency chapter of the All Indonesia Badminton Association (PBSI), confirmed that badminton activities are still held regularly at Arena 1.

“This year, it is used every day for PB Djarum athlete training, both in the morning and afternoon,” Yusril said.

In addition to PB Djarum athletes, affiliated schools also have scheduled training times, typically on Wednesdays and Fridays. Saturdays are reserved for local Kudus clubs under the supervision of PBSI Kudus.

“Arena 1 is consistently used for badminton every day,” he stated.

These activities bring a diverse group of users to the arena, including athletes in training programs, supervising coaches, clubs focused on development, and children learning the sport.

Club Development for Competition

One of the clubs utilizing Arena 1 is PB Ngudi Berkah Kudus. The club’s coach, Adimas Bintang, oversees approximately 80 students, with about 30 participating in each training session at the facility.

For Adimas, the arena is integral to a club's development process. Factors such as court conditions, lighting, spatial dimensions, and supporting facilities are essential to training activities.

However, the arena's function extends beyond training. During competitions, players have the opportunity to translate their training experience into real match scenarios.

According to Adimas, championships like the HYDROPLUS Bupati Cup are vital for young athletes, providing match experience while encouraging more consistent training habits.

“This championship is very important for developmental clubs. With the Bupati Cup, the children are more motivated to train and improve,” he stated.

The competition is also a stepping stone toward Central Java-level championships. For clubs, matches serve as a gauge to assess athlete progress following regular training sessions.

Venue for HYDROPLUS Bupati Cup

The HYDROPLUS Bupati Cup XX 2026 is not the first event held at the Kaliputu sports hall. Yusril noted that the tournament is a regular agenda for PBSI Kudus, marking its 20th anniversary this year.

“This is the 20th event. It is held annually, with the exception of the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused delays for all sporting events,” he explained.

The resumption of competition brings more than just activity to the court; athletes, coaches, families, officials, match staff, and spectators all gather at the same time.

For a sports arena, this creates a multifaceted environment. While the court serves as the field of play, the surrounding area becomes a hub for individuals with diverse interests in the sport.

Tournament preparations are also handled by management, with equipment such as nets and umpire chairs inspected prior to use.

Christanto stated that Arena 1 features 11 courts. Renovations are in the final stages, with five courts fitted with mats, while the remaining six still feature parquet flooring.

"We can utilize 11 courts for upcoming matches. Five are carpeted, while the other six remain parquet," he explained.

Renovations have also introduced new amenities, including air conditioning and a large LED screen. Meanwhile, management is clearing construction debris to ensure the arena is safe for participants, most of whom are children.

Early Exposure to Competition

Among those training in Arena 1 is eight-year-old Rageeta Disya Farizana, who has been training with the PB Ngudi Berkah Kudus club for approximately three years.

Rageeta began training at age five, driven by her own interest and parental support. Her father regularly accompanies her to practice sessions.

She said she enjoys training at Arena 1 due to its high-quality facilities and atmosphere.

"It is a great place. The facilities are excellent, and it is fun to have many friends here," Rageeta said.

For the HYDROPLUS Bupati Cup 2026, Rageeta will compete in the young age category. When asked about her participation, she replied with a shy smile, "I'm competing."

For players her age, matches provide an opportunity to experience a setting different from standard training. They learn to face opponents, follow match rules, and adjust to the unique atmosphere of a competitive court.

This experience is essential to the development process. Athletes grow not only through practice but also through the opportunity to compete and interact with peers from other clubs.

From One Generation to the Next

interrupting the activities already taking place within it.

Initially, the arena served as a training facility for PB Djarum. Although the primary athlete training center relocated in 2006, the venue continued to host community and local club badminton activities. Today, the arena has returned to its role as a competitive sporting venue.

In a broader context, these competitions have spurred increased movement in the surrounding area. Athletes and coaches travel to compete, families accompany young players, and the public attends as spectators. This cycle of activity is a growing component of sports tourism in Kudus.

Thus, a match involves more than just two players on the court. It encompasses the clubs preparing athletes, coaches providing guidance, families supporting their children, organizing committees running the event, and the spectators in attendance.

The sports hall (GOR) serves as a central hub for these activities.

For Yusril, the return of competitions to Kaliputu is expected to provide new opportunities for emerging athletes from Kudus.

"We hope this event will help uncover new talent. As we know, Kudus has historically been a cradle for Indonesia’s badminton stars," he said.

This ambition aligns with the weekly development activities at the site. Children practice, coaches provide guidance, clubs execute their programs, and competitions offer a stage for players to test their skills.

The narrative of badminton in Kudus continues to evolve on these same courts. Athletes who once trained here have moved 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 vital space for the sport. Its function has adapted to changing needs, but it remains dedicated to training, development, and competition.

The HYDROPLUS Bupati Cup XX 2026 is one of many instances where history and modern activity converge in the same arena. From its origins in developing PB Djarum athletes to its current role as a venue for young players to gain experience, Kaliputu continues to serve different generations of athletes.

This journey demonstrates that the significance of a sports arena extends beyond the notable athletes who have competed there. As long as the courts remain active for training, clubs continue their development programs, and young players arrive with rackets in hand, a sporting tradition finds the space it needs to endure. (OEB/mainkekudus)