Bandar Lampung has once again taken center stage in the national sports arena. A total of 2,780 swimmers from 117 clubs across 16 provinces gathered at the Pahoman Swimming Pool to compete in the 2026 Kemenpora Cup All-Indonesia Clubs and Students Swimming Championship. This prestigious event was officially opened by the Deputy Governor of Lampung, Jihan Nurlela, on Saturday (11/7/2026).
In her speech, Jihan emphasized that this competition is not merely about chasing medals. She views the championship as a vital medium for instilling discipline, nationalism, and a champion mentality in the younger generation. According to Jihan, technical skills in the water must be coupled with strong character so that athletes can bring honor to the nation in the future.
The Lampung Provincial Government warmly welcomed the central government's trust in selecting the region as host. Jihan noted that the high participation rate demonstrates the rapid growth of the swimming sports ecosystem in Lampung. This achievement aligns with the impressive track record of Lampung's swimmers, who previously contributed seven out of 13 gold medals for the regional contingent at the National Sports Week (PON) Sumatra region.
In addition to hosting the races, the event served as a moment to honor key figures who have contributed to the development of water sports in Lampung. Vice Governor Jihan presented an award to Djuhriansyah for his long-standing dedication to nurturing regional swimmers. This gesture aims to provide ongoing motivation for grassroots sports advocates.
Parents also welcomed the hosting of this national-level tournament. The competition, which brought together diverse athletes from various regions, is seen as an invaluable laboratory of experience for children to build confidence from an early age. The government hopes this event will not only birth talented athletes but also create a positive domino effect for Lampung's economy and tourism sectors.
