The Batam Free Zone Authority (BP Batam) has begun intensifying the development of the sports tourism sector (sport tourism) as a key strategy to accelerate tourist visits and drive the local economy. This strategic step is implemented through the Batam Prime International Grassroot Football Festival 2026, a tournament featuring youth football teams from four Southeast Asian countries.
Head of BP Batam, who also serves as Mayor of Batam, Amsakar Achmad, revealed that Batam's geographical location close to Singapore and Malaysia is its main selling point. This advantage is leveraged to attract various international-scale sports agendas to promote Batam while delivering a real economic impact on the hospitality sector, transportation services, and local MSMEs.
"This event is not only a venue for competition, but also a means to strengthen international friendship and foster talented young football athletes capable of excelling on national and international stages," Amsakar said in an official statement.
The series of tournaments is scheduled throughout August 2026. The opening begins with an age-category festival for U-8 to U-12 on August 7-9 at Temenggung Abdul Jamal Stadium. It will be followed by an international tournament on August 14-16 at Gelora Citra Mas Stadium, featuring contestants from Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, and Brunei Darussalam.
The highlight of this event is the Batam International Football Series on August 22-23, which will bring together top clubs such as Batam Premier FC, Garuda Yaksa FC, Singapore FC, and Johor FC. The participation of Garuda Yaksa FC, a club fostered by President Prabowo Subianto and managed by Fary Djemy Francis, is expected to elevate the competition's quality and provide extra motivation for young football talent in Batam City.
Through this sustainable agenda, BP Batam is optimistic about transforming the city's image from merely an industrial and investment hub into a premier sport tourism destination recognized across Southeast Asia.
