Friday, 04 September 2026
LABUHANBATU | INDATANEWS.COM - Sporting spirit and a sense of togetherness marked the opening of the Kemerdekaan Cup 2026 football tournament, featuring 17 of the best teams from villages and urban communities across the Rantau Selatan and Bilah Barat districts in Labuhanbatu Regency.
Chairman of the Labuhanbatu Regional House of Representatives (DPRD), Arjan Priadi Ritonga, officially opened the tournament for the Romario Simangunsong Trophy on Sunday, August 30, 2026, at the Dano Bale football field in Sigambal.A total of 17 teams are taking part in the competition. Nine teams come from Rantau Selatan District, while the remaining eight represent Bilah Barat District. The participation of players from various villages and urban communities makes the tournament more than just a sporting competition. It also serves as a meeting point for residents through football.
In his speech, Arjan Priadi Ritonga urged all players not to view the tournament solely as a competition for victory. In his view, every match should provide players with an opportunity to demonstrate character, discipline, responsibility and sportsmanship.
Arjan reminded the players to accept the results of each match with dignity. At the same time, he urged all participants to avoid actions that could damage the reputation of their teams or their respective communities."Games are part of everyday life, as are victory and defeat. Therefore, show sportsmanship and do not bring shame. In the future, this event will be held on an even bigger and more vibrant scale," Arjan said.
In addition to calling for greater sportsmanship, Arjan said players who stand out during the tournament would receive greater attention. This would include the best player as well as the tournament's leading scorer or top scorer.He said this was a form of support for players who demonstrate their best abilities on the field. Arjan hopes the competition can provide young talents from Labuhanbatu with a platform to develop and demonstrate their potential.
Also attending the opening of the Kemerdekaan Cup 2026 were Labuhanbatu DPRD member Anggriani Dalimunthe and former acting (Plt.) regent of Labuhanbatu, Elya Rosa Siregar. The presence of several prominent figures underscored the support for the football competition involving teams from the two districts.
Chairman of the Labuhanbatu branch of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), Hadi Khoirul Sinaga, said the Kemerdekaan Cup 2026 was part of efforts to revive football while advancing sports development in Labuhanbatu Regency.
According to Hadi, competitions involving village and urban community teams play an important role because they give players opportunities to showcase their abilities. Competitive matches also provide the experience needed to strengthen players' mental resilience and further improve their technical quality.Hadi also reminded all participants to maintain order throughout the tournament. Players should not allow match results to become a reason for getting involved in disputes or unrest.
"There must be no disputes. Those who lose should continue learning. Those who win should not celebrate too early. The road to success in football is still long," Hadi said.He said the message was important to ensure that every match could be played in a healthy atmosphere. Victory and defeat should equally be regarded as part of the learning process for both players and teams.
Hadi also praised the managers of the participating teams for preparing their respective squads for the competition. At the same time, he called on match officials, particularly referees, to carry out their duties fairly and professionally.With proper officiating and discipline from all players, Hadi hopes every match will be conducted safely and orderly. In his assessment, experience gained from competitions such as the Kemerdekaan Cup can serve as an important foundation for players seeking to compete at a higher level in the future.
Romario also committed to making the Kemerdekaan Cup an annual event. He hopes the competition will continue to grow, allowing more people to participate while increasing opportunities to discover talented footballers from the region.
"Believe me, if this event is hopefully successful, our next priority will be to make it even bigger," he said.Romario appealed to all participants to maintain mutual respect throughout the competition. Players should also remain calm in difficult situations during matches.
In Romario's view, sporting rivalry on the field must not damage good relations within the community. He therefore called on all participants to use the matches as an opportunity to strengthen relationships among players while reinforcing solidarity among residents."These matches are intended to maintain relationships between villages and urban communities. I assure you that this event will not stop. It will be held every year as long as we are all willing to look out for one another and support each other," he said.
In the opening match of the Kemerdekaan Cup 2026, the team from Tanjung Medan Village in Bilah Barat District faced FC Urung Kompas from Rantau Selatan District.The match marked the beginning of a series of fixtures between teams from the two districts. Beyond competing for the tournament title, the players have an opportunity to showcase their abilities before spectators and individuals who support the development of football in Labuhanbatu.
The organizers hope all matches will be played in the spirit of sportsmanship. The fundamental principle of the competition is to win without belittling the opponent and to lose without giving up.Ultimately, the Kemerdekaan Cup 2026 is expected not only to produce a tournament champion but also to identify promising players capable of bringing Labuhanbatu's name to a higher level. At the same time, the continuation of the tournament each year is expected to strengthen football development and foster closer ties among residents across villages and urban communities. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Ucok Bangun/ML Harahap | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
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