Carabao Open Urged be Held Annually to Boost Billiards in Indonesia

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Taufik Hidayat has called for the Carabao International Open billiards tournament to become an annual fixture, emphasizing its potential to accelerate the growth of billiards in Indonesia.

“I hope this tournament is not held just once, but can become a yearly routine, providing athletes with the opportunity to compete against world-class players who come to Indonesia,” Taufik said in an official statement released in Jakarta on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

He made the remarks during the Press Conference & Gala Dinner Carabao International Open, Carabao Junior Open, and Carabao International Celebrity Billiards at Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK) 2, Tangerang, Banten.

Welcoming the international-scale event, the Deputy Minister likened it to other prestigious world championships, noting that such tournaments also support the Ministry’s push for sport tourism. 

“With this championship, Indonesia gains another international tournament. It can also contribute significantly to foreign exchange earnings, from airline tickets and hotel stays to spending on food,” he explained.

Deputy Minister Taufik highlighted that billiards is regaining popularity in Indonesia, and he hopes the Carabao Open will inspire young athletes to pursue the sport and bring pride to the nation. He added that hosting the event also helps dispel lingering negative perceptions about billiards.

“Hopefully this tournament can serve as a platform for our athletes, especially juniors, to see that billiards is a global sport, and that we can excel in it,” he said.

Beyond athletic achievement, he stressed the importance of developing billiards as both a competitive sport and a form of entertainment, or sportainment. The tournament series also features the Carabao International Celebrity Billiards, where celebrities compete to help popularize the sport among the wider public.

“Nowadays, we are greatly assisted by celebrities in promoting sports to society,” he noted.

The Deputy Minister reaffirmed full government support for the championship, expressing hope that it will pave the way for more major international events in Indonesia.

The Carabao International Open is scheduled to take place at NICE, PIK 2, Banten, from February 4–8, 2026, featuring professional billiards players from around the world. 

Among the confirmed participants are three-time world champion Thorsten Hohmann of the United States, 2024 European Open winner Mickey Krause of Denmark, and Indonesia’s own Albert Januarta, the 2025 World Junior Billiards Champion. ***