Eight Indonesian Padel Athletes Undergo Training Camp in Spain Ahead of the 2026 Asian Games.

The Indonesian Padel Grand Association (PBPI) is finalizing preparations ahead of the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. As part of preparations for padel's official debut at Asia's largest multi-sport event, one core preparation step is sending eight top national athletes to Spain for an intensive centralized training camp.

This training camp (TC) program provides a valuable opportunity for Indonesian athletes to experience the training environment in one of the countries with the strongest global padel traditions. During their stay in Spain, the squad is scheduled to complete structured training sessions alongside a series of trial matches against European players.

PBPI General Chairman Galih Dimuntur Kartasasmita confirmed the eight deployed athletes consist of two starting pairs and two reserve pairs for both the men's and women's doubles divisions.

Novela Putria and Beatrice Gumulya have been named as the core women's doubles pair, while Armando Soemarno partnered with Valentinus Dyas will lead the men's doubles squad. Meanwhile Fitriani Sabatini / Fadona Kusuma and Alvin Edison / Giorgio Soemarno have been prepared as reserve pairs.

"They are scheduled to depart for Spain for the training camp around 25 July, pending visa processing. If all administrative requirements are cleared, the camp will run right up until 15 September. That cuts it extremely close to the Nagoya Asian Games," Galih told reporters during the official opening of the 2026 FIP Bronze & FIP Promises international padel tournament at RANA Grounds, South Jakarta on Thursday.

While stationed in Spain, the athletes will not only complete routine training programs, but also receive competitive match opportunities against national team players from multiple European countries.

According to Galih, this on-ground experience is expected to improve both the technical playing standard and competitive match mentality of the Indonesian athletes.

"These eight players will go up against established European national team squads. I sincerely hope they return home as significantly improved, more capable athletes," he stated.

Prior to departing for Europe, PBPI has arranged an international trial fixture against Kazakhstan. The Kazakhstan national padel team, who are visiting Indonesia to compete in the FIP Bronze tournament in Banten, will act as official sparring opponents for the Indonesian national squad.

"It worked out very conveniently that Kazakhstan sent their full 10-man men's squad here for the Banten FIP Bronze event. I proposed we arrange official sparring matches since both full teams are present, and they agreed," he added.

These thorough preparations are being implemented due to the packed international competition calendar facing the Indonesian padel national team. Immediately after the 2026 Asian Games concludes, the athletes will enter the Padel World Cup qualification rounds.

Galih confirmed PBPI has designed a structured long-term training program to ensure the athletes can compete in these two consecutive major tournaments without suffering a drop in performance.

"We have planned this far ahead because the Asian Games is fast approaching, and the World Cup Qualifier follows straight after. The World Cup tournament itself was only confirmed yesterday to be held this November. Official qualification dates will be announced imminently. This is an extremely tight back-to-back schedule. That is why we have already completed national team selection, and God willing this is our strongest possible squad," he explained.

Despite committing to full serious team preparations, PBPI has deliberately avoided placing unrealistic high performance targets on the athletes for the Asian Games. This decision comes as padel is being contested for the very first time at the Asian Games, meaning all participating nations are equally competing in untested territory.

PBPI only hopes the Indonesian team can continue their positive competitive momentum, especially the women's division who previously won bronze at the 2025 FIP Asia Cup and hold a realistic chance of qualifying for the Padel World Cup final rounds.