Singaraja- Ganesha University of Education (Undiksha) is again holding the National Petanque Championship. This second championship, hosted by the Petanque Student Activities Unit (UKM), won the Undiksha Chancellor’s trophy. Apart from that, the Chancellor also specifically prepared “rewards” for the champions.
The teams competing in this championship came from 15 schools, consisting of 13 men’s doubles teams, 9 women’s doubles teams, and 13 mixed doubles teams. Apart from that, there are also teams from universities in Indonesia consisting of 18 men’s doubles teams, 14 women’s doubles teams, and 24 mixed doubles teams.
The match which took place at the Buleleng Regency Government Petanque Field was opened by the Chancellor of Undiksha, Prof. Dr. I Wayan Lasmawan, M.Pd. He expressed his appreciation for holding this championship again and hoped that it would be sustainable. “I hope that Undiksha can add color to the progress of national sports, especially petanque. This is my goal and hope as chancellor. “In the future, there can be more coordination so that the Bali Provincial Government hopes that from Undiksha national and international petanque athletes will be born,” he said.
In this match, winning is the goal. However, Prof. Lasmawan emphasized that upholding sportsmanship is a must. “Don’t risk everything just for a win which in the end will neglect sportsmanship,” he asked.
An interesting thing Prof. Lasmawan conveys is Undiksha preparing special “rewards” for the champions. Winners in all categories at the SMA/SMK level are allowed to study for free undergraduate programs without tests at Undiksha, except for the Medical Study Program. For student-level winners, study at the Undiksha Postgraduate program with a chancellor’s scholarship. “This is one form of our contribution to revitalizing sports,” he added.
This championship event received appreciation from the General Secretary of the Indonesian Petanque Sports Federation (FOPI) Bali, Gde Kagung Putra, S.H., M.Si because it can be a space to further promote the sport of petanque. “Previously, no one looked at this game of petanque. But now it’s sexy,” he said.
Through this championship, reliable athletes who can later appear in national and international championships are hoped to be born. Apart from that, its development can be supported by adequate facilities and infrastructure. (hms)
