The high enthusiasm of volleyball enthusiasts in the city of Balikpapan is now facing a classic obstacle: the limited availability of adequate facilities and infrastructure. Complaints regarding the difficulty of accessing proper courts, both indoor and outdoor, became the main focus in a dialogue between the Balikpapan Volleyball Club Association and Balikpapan Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) Member, Wahyullah Bandung.
During the meeting held in the Damai Bahagia area, sports practitioners stated that the issue lies not only in the quantity of courts, but also in tournament management and the need to improve the quality of local referees. In addition, high court rental fees, which are considered a burden on club operations, pose a serious obstacle to athlete development at the regional level.
Wahyullah Bandung emphasized that the local government has a responsibility to ensure public spaces, including sports facilities, can be fully accessed by the community. According to him, fulfilling adequate infrastructure is crucial so that sports development activities can take place sustainably and produce potential athlete talent.
Responding to these aspirations, the legislature is committed to re-evaluating the availability of sports spaces in Balikpapan. It is hoped that the creation of facilities with more affordable rates will motivate the community to practice regularly, allowing volleyball in the city to continue growing and achieve better success in the future.
