Surabaya State University (UNESA) officially hosted the International Invitational Petanque Tournament ‘Bola Baja Cup’, which was opened directly by the General Chair of the Central KONI, Lieutenant General TNI (Ret.) Marciano Norman, on Tuesday (7/7/2026). The tournament, held at the Cak Hasan Petanque Laboratory, is part of UNESA's 62nd Anniversary celebrations as well as commemorating French National Day (Bastille Day).
Representing the French delegation, the Director of Institut Français d’Indonésie (IFI), Vincent Padare, expressed appreciation for this sports synergy. In his speech, Marciano Norman emphasized that this tournament is not just a showcase of skills, but a crucial diplomatic instrument to strengthen bilateral ties between Indonesia and France through the universal language of sports.
In addition to serving as a diplomatic medium, this tournament presents a strategic momentum for the development of local athletic talent. A total of 10 provinces and representatives from various regencies/cities in East Java participated in this competition, which is expected to popularize petanque in the country while producing more high-achieving athletes on the global stage.
The achievements of Indonesian petanque itself are currently on a positive trend. Representing the Rector of UNESA as well as the General Chair of PB FOPI, Prof. Dr. Dwi Cahyo Kartiko revealed that the Indonesian delegation successfully brought home a total of six medals—comprising one gold, two silvers, and three bronzes—at the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand. This achievement serves as concrete proof of the success of the consistent coaching program carried out by the federation.
