The National Sports Committee of Indonesia (KONI) East Java has emphasized the urgent need to increase match frequency for petanque athletes. This move is considered crucial as a primary strategy to mature the athletes' preparation heading into the 22nd National Sports Week (PON) in 2028 and the 2027 SEA Games in Malaysia.
Chairman of KONI East Java, M. Nabil, delivered the instruction on the sidelines of the opening of a petanque tournament organized by Universitas Negeri Surabaya (Unesa) in collaboration with the French Embassy. The event also formed part of Unesa's 62nd Anniversary celebrations and the upcoming Bastille Day commemoration on July 14.
According to Nabil, routine training sessions at centralized training camps are no longer sufficient to significantly boost performance. Athletes are required to gain extensive competition experience so that their technical abilities, mental stability, and on-field adaptability can be thoroughly tested in real match situations.
Support for hosting this tournament is expected to serve as a catalyst for sports administrators to be more proactive in holding regular competitions. By competing frequently in various events, athletes are expected to perform more competitively and maturely when representing their region and nation on a broader stage.
