RRI.CO.ID, Bogor - The Indonesian Domino Sports Federation (ORADO) staged its first national championship at JSI Resort in Megamendung, West Java, from April 24 to 26, 2026. The event marked a milestone in efforts to elevate domino from a casual pastime into a recognized competitive sport.

Domino itself has deep roots in Indonesia. The game entered the archipelago in the 17th–18th centuries through traders and Dutch colonial influence, quickly adapting to local culture and becoming widely known as gaple.

By the 1950s through the 1990s, gaple was one of the country’s most popular social games, played in warung kopi (coffee stalls), neighborhood watch posts, and family gatherings, symbolizing togetherness and simple strategic play.

Its popularity waned in the 2000s as digital entertainment and modern sports gained ground, though gaple remained a familiar pastime in many communities.

Seeking to revive and formalize the game, the Domino Sports Federation (ORADO) was established on January 7, 2026, in Jakarta. The federation aims to transform domino from casual entertainment into a sport of achievement, complete with structured competitions and athlete development programs.

The inaugural championship featured senior and junior categories, with South Sulawesi claiming the junior title and Bangka Belitung Team B winning the senior division.

ORADO chairman Yooky Tjahrial emphasized that the event was not only about crowning champions but also about building a sustainable foundation for athlete training. “Through this championship, we are laying the groundwork for domino to grow as a sport of achievement,” he said on Sunday, April 26, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

ORADO officials highlighted the importance of technical consistency and fairness in competition. Executive Giri Bayu Kusumah stressed that transparent systems were key to maintaining sportsmanship, while communications chief Henry Kurnia Adhi noted that the event fostered camaraderie among provinces and strengthened domino’s image as an inclusive, strategic sport.

Exhibition matches were also staged for provinces that did not advance to the round of 16, including a special fixture against ORADO’s own team, with enhanced prize incentives to encourage participation. ***