BALINEWSID.COM, DENPASAR – The Denpasar chapter of the Indonesian Padel Association (PBPI) was officially inaugurated on Saturday (June 13, 2026), becoming the first PBPI branch in Bali for the 2026–2030 term. The inauguration ceremony, held at The Meru Sanur, marked a significant milestone in the development of padel sports on the island.

The event was attended by PBPI Central Chairman Galih Dimuntur Kartasasmita, officials from PBPI Bali Province, representatives of the Denpasar City Government, the Denpasar Sports Committee (KONI), and members of the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda).

In his remarks, Galih emphasized Bali’s strategic role in the growth of padel in Indonesia. While the sport was initially introduced by the Indonesian Air Force, he said Bali has played a crucial role in popularizing and expanding padel across the country.

“Padel Indonesia was born in Bali and should continue to grow with Bali. Bali is not only about sporting achievements but also about recreation and sports tourism, which are key strengths of this sport,” Galih said.

He noted that Bali’s ability to attract both domestic and international visitors who seek not only leisure but also sporting activities provides a strong foundation for the sustainable growth of padel.

Meanwhile, newly elected PBPI Denpasar Chairman Yonathan Andre Baskoro said the inauguration represents the first step toward building a healthy, structured, and sustainable padel ecosystem in the city.

According to Yonathan, the rapid growth of padel in Bali, particularly in Denpasar, has highlighted the need for an official governing body capable of managing and developing the sport.

“It is time for a federation to regulate the padel ecosystem so that its growth remains healthy and sustainable,” he said.

As part of its development program, PBPI Denpasar plans to focus on youth athlete development through schools in collaboration with the Denpasar Education, Youth and Sports Agency (Disdikpora). Physical education teachers at junior high schools will receive basic padel training, enabling them to introduce the sport to students at an early age.

The organization also intends to work with padel clubs and court operators to provide students with broader access to the sport through affordable programs, including free opportunities for promising young athletes.

In addition to athlete development, PBPI Denpasar is advocating for the construction of public padel facilities. The organization has encouraged local authorities to allocate government-owned land for open-access padel courts and has expressed its willingness to assist in providing facilities without burdening public budgets.

The initiative is expected to increase public participation in padel while helping identify and nurture new talent in Denpasar.

PBPI Denpasar is also targeting official membership in KONI Denpasar next year. If all organizational requirements are fulfilled, padel is expected to be included as an exhibition sport in student sports competitions and the Bali Provincial Sports Week (Porprov) before eventually becoming an officially contested sport.

Yonathan expressed optimism that padel would continue to thrive in Bali, supported by strong interest from both local residents and international visitors.

“Bali has a unique advantage because of its tourism sector. That is what allows padel to keep growing and gives it tremendous potential to become both a competitive sport and a tourism-driven activity,” he said.