The Regional Government of East Kolaka (Koltim), through the Youth and Sports Agency (Dispora), is preparing for the 2026 Regent's Cup football tournament. This prestigious district-level event is scheduled to take place next August, with the Gunung Jaya Village Field in Dangia District designated as the main venue for the competition.
The Head of the East Kolaka Dispora, Marsalim, explained that this tournament is specifically designed to map out and scout potential young football players in the region. In addition to serving as a development platform, the championship is also projected to be a selection process for potential athletes to strengthen East Kolaka's contingent in the upcoming Provincial Sports Week (Porprov).
Regarding the schedule, the competition will begin after the entire series of celebrations for the 81st Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia is completed. This step is taken to ensure that the focus and participation of the community and organizers are not divided. The tournament is also prioritized for players under the U-21 age group.
One of the strict rules enforced in this edition is the requirement to use local players native to the region. In accordance with the instructions of the Acting (Plt) Regent of East Kolaka, Yosep Sahaka, each district is strictly forbidden from recruiting players from outside the area. This policy was made to ensure the tournament truly nurtures local talent, and strict sanctions await teams found violating the regulation.
Currently, the organizing committee continues to finalize all technical aspects, including the readiness of the pitch facilities in Gunung Jaya Village. Through this tournament, the East Kolaka Regency Government hopes to foster a new generation of quality football players who can bring pride to the region on a higher stage.
