The Youth and Sports Department (Dispora) of South Kalimantan Province successfully organized a public watch party (nobar) for the 2026 FIFA World Cup match between Argentina and Switzerland. The event, held in the courtyard of SKB Mulawarman, Banjarmasin, on Sunday morning (12/7/2026), drew enthusiastic crowds eager to watch the global football tournament together.
Coordinator of SKB Mulawarman Management, Rijal Hamid, stated that this initiative follows directives from the South Kalimantan Provincial Government. The step also responds to the central government's call for all regions to actively participate in celebrating the World Cup euphoria through inclusive community events.
Far from being just entertainment, the event was creatively packaged to blend physical activity with economic opportunity. Before kickoff, residents were invited to engage in sports through mini-soccer games. In addition, the presence of several MSME booths at the venue provided local entrepreneurs with a platform to offer their products to attendees.
Rijal added that involving MSMEs aims to deliver a tangible economic impact to the community around SKB Mulawarman. This way, residents' enthusiasm for supporting their favorite teams goes hand in hand with increased economic transactions at the grassroots level.
Given the success of the event, Dispora South Kalimantan plans to continue hosting watch parties for upcoming crucial stages, including the third-place playoff and the final. Dispora is currently conducting internal coordination to determine the next venue, with plans to utilize the courtyard of the Dispora South Kalimantan office to broaden public participation.
