Globaltoday.id, Lumajang – The 2026 East Java Regional Diving Championship (Kejurda) in Lumajang is being seen as more than just a sports competition. The event has become an important platform for nurturing young athletes and preparing them for higher achievements at the national and international levels.
The statement was delivered by Regent Indah Amperawati during the opening ceremony at Veteran Swimming Pool, Lumajang, on Saturday (May 9, 2026). The championship gathered 654 athletes from 27 cities and regencies across East Java.
According to the Regent, popularly known as Bunda Indah, sports championships play a crucial role in athlete development, starting from talent identification and technical improvement to building competitive mentality among young athletes.
“Kejurda is not only about winning medals. It is a place where young athletes can grow step by step toward national and international achievements,” she said.
Building a Healthy Sports Ecosystem
Bunda Indah explained that competitions like Kejurda help create a healthy sports ecosystem by giving young athletes opportunities to test their abilities, improve discipline, and gain valuable competition experience from an early age.
She believes East Java has strong potential in the finswimming category and emphasized the importance of continuous coaching and regular competitions to support athlete growth.
“We hope this championship will produce talented athletes who can proudly represent their regions and Indonesia in the future,” she added.
Collaboration Needed for Athlete Development
The Regent also stressed that sports development cannot succeed without cooperation between local governments, sports organizations, coaches, schools, and communities.
For this reason, the Lumajang administration continues to strengthen sports facilities and provide more spaces for athlete training and development.
POSSI East Java Sees Great Potential
Meanwhile, Chairman of POSSI Jawa Timur, Mirza Muttaqien, said the high number of participants reflects the growing potential of diving sports in East Java.
According to him, regional championships are an important part of athlete regeneration and long-term development.
“Events like this help us discover talented young athletes from many regions. Continuous coaching is important so they can develop and compete at higher levels,” he explained.
He also reminded participants that sports are not only about achievement, but also about building character, sportsmanship, and a strong work ethic among young people.
Through the 2026 East Java Diving Championship, Lumajang is not only hosting a sporting event but also showing its commitment to supporting youth development through healthy and educational competition.
