Sunday, 01 November 2026
MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - The Table Tennis Club (PTM) Tournament for the first half of 2026, held for the Medan Mayor's Cup, officially concluded on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at GOR Basket Medan. The two-day championship, which began on Saturday, July 18, featured highly competitive matches while serving as an important platform to identify and nurture emerging table tennis talents from across Medan.
The tournament received full support from the Medan City Government and the Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI) Medan as part of their commitment to strengthening competitive sports development and expanding opportunities for table tennis athletes across various age groups and competitive divisions.
A total of 30 Table Tennis Clubs (PTM) representing different districts of Medan participated in the championship. Athletes competed in several age and competition categories, creating a highly competitive atmosphere while giving players the opportunity to demonstrate their skills.
The Under-15 Boys' and Girls' Singles category featured 21 competitors. Meanwhile, the Division 11 Doubles event attracted 50 pairs, producing exciting matches from the preliminary rounds through to the final.
The largest participation came in the singles events. Grade A featured 12 athletes, Grade B 27, Grade C 68, and Grade D 55 competitors, bringing the total number of participants in the Grade A to Grade D singles competitions to 162 athletes.
The closing ceremony was held in a festive atmosphere and attended by Medan Mayor Rico Tri Putra Bayu Waas, KONI Medan Chairman Aswindy Fachrizal, KONI Medan Secretary Helty Susilo, representatives of various sports organizations, coaches, athletes, and hundreds of spectators.
In his remarks, Mayor Rico Waas expressed his appreciation to the organizing committee and KONI Medan for successfully staging the tournament. He emphasized that championships like this play a crucial role in advancing competitive sports while providing athletes with a healthy environment to improve their abilities.
"I would like to thank the organizing committee and KONI Medan for successfully hosting this tournament. I hope this event will further accelerate the development of table tennis in Medan," Rico said.
He also expressed hope that future editions of the tournament would be held on a larger scale with more participants and additional competition categories. According to him, expanding competitive opportunities will increase the chances of discovering young talents capable of representing Medan at regional, national, and international levels.
"I hope future tournaments will be even better, larger, and more exciting, with additional competition categories. May this championship continue to produce talented athletes who will become the pride of Medan," he added.
Rico further stressed that developing elite athletes requires time, dedication, and sustained support. Therefore, the Medan City Government will continue backing sporting events that contribute to athlete development and long-term performance improvement.
KONI Medan Chairman Aswindy Fachrizal also welcomed the successful completion of the tournament, describing it as an important opportunity for athletes to measure their abilities and sharpen their skills through fair competition.
"I am very proud of the successful organization of this championship. May it continue to serve as a platform for Medan's table tennis athletes to grow and improve consistently," Aswindy said.
He encouraged the winners not to become complacent but instead continue developing their abilities. For those who did not achieve the desired results, he urged them to remain motivated, continue training, and pursue their goals with determination.
"I hope the successful athletes will continue improving their skills and never become satisfied too early. For those who have not yet achieved victory, never give up. Keep training and continue chasing your dreams," he said.
According to Aswindy, consistent participation in competitions is one of the most important factors in athlete development. The more frequently athletes compete, the better prepared they become to perform at higher levels.
PTMSI Medan Second Vice Chairman Hendra Irsan also praised the Medan City Government's commitment to supporting table tennis development. He emphasized that close cooperation between the city government, KONI, and sports organizations provides a solid foundation for producing high-performing athletes on a sustainable basis.
According to Hendra, the successful organization of the tournament demonstrates that collaboration among all stakeholders can deliver quality competitions while strengthening the long-term athlete development system in table tennis.
"I would like to thank the Medan City Government, especially the Mayor of Medan, for its tremendous support in advancing table tennis in our city," he said.
Hendra emphasized that the tournament was not merely about determining winners. More importantly, it contributes to athlete development, strengthens solidarity among players, and promotes the values of fair play.
"We hope this championship will produce talented athletes capable of competing successfully at both national and international levels. Victory and defeat are part of sport, but fairness must always remain our highest priority," he concluded.
The successful completion of the first-half 2026 PTM Table Tennis Tournament marks another important milestone in the development of table tennis in Medan. Strong athlete participation, continuous support from the city government, and the commitment of sports organizations are expected to produce a new generation of outstanding athletes capable of representing Medan with distinction at regional, national, and international competitions. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Ahmad Zulfikar | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
