TANGERANG, thekabarnews.com—West Kalimantan secured third place at the 2026 National Indoor Hockey Championship [Kejurnas Hockey Indoor 2026] on Sunday, August 30, giving the province a national medal after a demanding week of competition in Tangerang, Banten.

The 2026 National Indoor Hockey Championship brought together 24 teams representing 12 provinces at the Nambo Jaya Sport Centre. Matches ran from August 23 to 30, according to the Tangerang city administration.

West Kalimantan coach Ilham Surya Fallo described the bronze medal as evidence of progress but said the team had not yet reached its full potential.

“Overall, I consider West Kalimantan’s performance excellent and believe the team showed positive development,” Ilham told TheKabarNews on Sunday, August 30.

“The athletes played with spirit and discipline, and they fought hard in every match,” he added.

He said the players’ performances fluctuated as they adjusted to local conditions. The coaching team will use the result to identify weaknesses before West Kalimantan’s next competitions.

“Finishing third nationally is an achievement for which we should be grateful, but the tournament is not the end. It gives us material for evaluation so West Kalimantan can compete at a higher level,” Ilham said.

West Kalimantan intensified its training approximately three weeks before the tournament, although the athletes had previously maintained a twice-weekly schedule.

The preparation covered fitness and technical work, with extra attention given to passing, receiving and ball possession. Coaches also trained the players on attacking and defensive transitions, penalty corners and set plays.

Ilham said teamwork proved decisive during the championship. He credited the athletes’ commitment and the support provided by coaches, team officials, medical personnel and families.

“Hockey is a team sport, so success cannot depend on only one or two players. The most outstanding feature for me was our collective spirit,” he said.

The coach nevertheless identified missed opportunities in the deciding match. West Kalimantan failed to convert several penalty corners and left some counterattacks unfinished.

“We must improve our consistency, finishing and communication. Small mistakes can have a major effect in a high-pressure match,” Ilham said.

Ilham also said during the tournament, eight mobile phones went missing from the contingent’s accommodation, which affected several players’ concentration.

West Kalimantan Indonesian Hockey Federation (FHI) provincial chair Hermawan said internal cooperation and financial contributions from members of the hockey community supported the team’s campaign.

“We maximized what we had with creativity,” Hermawan said.

“The limitations helped strengthen the athletes’ mentality, but we hope this achievement will bring greater attention to hockey facilities in West Kalimantan,” he added.

He said the provincial organization planned to increase competitive opportunities for younger players and maintain a continuous talent-development program.

“This victory proves that West Kalimantan has exceptional talent. We hope the result encourages young people and shows that West Kalimantan deserves recognition at the national level,” Hermawan said.

The team will shift its attention to the West Kalimantan Provincial Sports Week (Porprov XIV) scheduled for November in Kubu Raya. The indoor hockey competition will feature men’s and women’s divisions.

Ilham said preparations would begin in September. West Kalimantan also plans to send men’s and women’s outdoor teams to an international tournament in December, although officials had not provided the event’s name or location when this article was prepared.

The bronze medal offers a stronger foundation for that program. However, both Ilham and Hermawan said sustained training, better facilities and more competitive exposure would determine whether West Kalimantan can turn one podium finish into lasting national success.