Pekan Olahraga Pelajar Daerah (POPDA) Central Java 2023 Wall Climbing Sports was officially held at the University of Dian Nuswantoro (UDINUS) Semarang. 155 athletes from 35 different regencies or cities, competed to be the champion of three different categories.

That sporting event was held on 26-27th June 2023 and it was held in two different places. 'Speed Classic' and 'Lead' categories were held at wall climbing which is located in front of the D building. While the 'Speed World Record' Category was held in Jatidiri, Semarang. From the preparation until the beginning of POPDA Jateng, Udinus cooperated with Federasi Panjang Tebing Indonesia (FPTI), which is the official Indonesian wall-climbing federation. Not only that, but Udinus also involved the Aldakawanaseta student organization to help with that two-day event.

The opening ceremony of POPDA Jateng rock climbing sports was attended by the Vice Rector III Students Affair field of Udinus, Dr. Kusni Igsih, MM, The founder of Aldakawanaseta student’s organization, Prof. Dr. ST. Dwiarso Utomo, S.E., M.Kom., AKT., CA, The head of the division of Keolahragaan Dinas Kepemudaan Olahraga, dan Pariwisata (Disporapar) Jateng, which is the government agency concerning with youth, sports, and tourism affairs of Central Java, Arya Chandra Destianto S, STP, M.Si and the head of the division of FPTI organization who is also the representative from Central Java of FPTI, Krisna Rano.

The Vice Rector III Students Affair field of Udinus, Dr. Kusni Igsih, MM welcomed the audience gratefully with Udinus as the chosen organizer of POPDA Jateng Wall Climbing Sports. Udinus had prepared the facilities and the infrastructure as well as possible so the event competed by hundreds of athletes could run as expected. Dr. Kusni told the winners of the POPDA Wall Climbing Sports competition at the high school level that Udinus had prepared scholarships for the winners.  

“We have fixed the wall climbing facility and adjusted it with the regulation and the category of the competition. With this event, the students will be driven and more driven to enhance their skills,” she said.

Dr. Kusni advised that the student-athletes competing in POPDA Jateng specifically the wall climbing sports were capable of being sportive while competing and enjoying the next-day competition. Hopes are instilled inside all of the athletes competing in POPDA today, to achieve both national and international accomplishments.

“We hope all of the athletes can be sportive in the competition, winning or losing is but a usual thing in competition. We see the raging spirit of the athletes that are still in high school. Hopefully, the competing athletes for today and tomorrow, are able to continue the legacy of the Indonesian wall-climbing athletes,” advised Dr.Kusni.

POPDA itself is a province-scaled competition that competes several branches of sports mainly for students. As a whole, POPDA Jateng 2023 is competed by contingent from 35 regencies or cities. 3.298 athletes were competing in this sports event, alongside 947 coaches. They will be competing in 25 different branches of sports to win 242 golds, 242 silvers, and 361 bronzes.

The head of the division of Keolahragaan Dinas Kepemudaan, Olahraga, dan Pariwisata (Disporapar) Jateng, Arya Chandra Destianto S.STP, M.SI explained that POPDA JATENG is a tool to measure the achievement development of athletes in several regencies and cities. Not only that, but as a step to instill the athletes of various branches of sports, one of which is wall climbing, He also appreciated Udinus’ effort in coaching and giving full attention to the young athletes.

“Usually, guidance was solely provided by the provincial government, but Udinus goes beyond by giving full support to its athletes, demonstrated through sports coaching. This is a perfect momentum to develop the sports field in Central Java,” said Arya Chandra (Udinus Public Relation/Alex. Photo: Udinus PR)