Basketball Boom Signals Rapid Sports Growth in Indonesia

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia is witnessing a surge in basketball popularity, driven by strong youth engagement and growing fan attendance, highlighting the sport’s expanding footprint in the country’s evolving sports culture.

Indonesian Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Taufik Hidayat said basketball is becoming increasingly popular in the country, particularly among younger generations.

He pointed to the strong turnout of thousands of fans from different age groups at the Indonesian Basketball League All-Star 2026 held at Bandung Arena in West Java on Saturday night, April 11, 2026, as clear evidence of the sport’s growing appeal.

“The public was very enthusiastic, the arena was full, and we also saw many future generations of basketball players. This is very positive for the future,” Deputy Minister Taufik said on Sunday, April 12, as quoted by Antara, praising the organization of the 2026 IBL All-Star event, which returned to Bandung for the first time in 12 years.

The decision by the Indonesian Basketball League (IBL) and the Indonesian Basketball Association (Perbasi) to bring the event back to Bandung was seen as an important step in expanding the sport beyond the capital city, Jakarta.

He said this decentralization effort is a positive move that strengthens athlete development and supports the broader growth of Indonesia’s sports ecosystem.

The former badminton star also shared his personal experience attending the event as a spectator, offering a different perspective from his days as an athlete. “I used to be an athlete who was supported by many spectators in the arena, and now I experience being a spectator myself, supporting the athletes competing,” he continued.

The IBL All-Star 2026 concluded with a competitive main game between Team Yudha and Team Prastawa, entertaining thousands of fans. Team Yudha won 117-106.

Adonnecy Joshua Bramah of Pacific Caesar Surabaya delivered a standout performance with 35 points and 20 rebounds, earning Most Valuable Player (MVP) honors. Meanwhile, Yudha Saputera of Satria Muda Pertamina Bandung received two individual awards: Most Favorite Player and Best Local Performer.

The strong turnout and rising engagement around events like the IBL All-Star underline basketball’s rapid growth in Indonesia’s sports landscape. ***