RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s medal ambitions for the Asian Para Games Aichi–Nagoya 2026 in Japan, face a new test following the removal of para-chess, one of the country’s strongest sports.

The discipline contributed more than a third of Indonesia’s gold medals at the last Games in Hangzhou, China, making its absence a significant factor in recalculating targets.

Secretary General of the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) Indonesia, Ukun Rukaendi, acknowledged the challenge but remained confident.

“Our minimum target is to repeat the achievement of Hangzhou 2022, but we cannot deny that para-chess was one of our mainstays,” he said on Friday, July 24, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

In Hangzhou, Indonesia finished sixth overall with 29 gold, 30 silver, and 36 bronze medals, including 10 golds from para-chess alone. Despite the setback, Ukun stressed optimism, pointing to other strong sports and the rise of young athletes.

Confidence has also grown with the establishment of the Paralympic Training Center in Karanganyar, Central Java, a state-of-the-art facility covering 80,000 square meters with dormitories for nearly 400 athletes and arenas for badminton, boccia, shooting, table tennis, powerlifting, blind judo, swimming, football, and athletics.

“Now we have our own international-standard training center, which makes us feel more confident,” Ukun noted.

Indonesia’s final contingent is still being determined as athletes continue to compete in international qualifiers. The Asian Para Games 2026, scheduled for October 18–24 in Japan, will feature 18 sports.

For Indonesia, the challenge is not only to maintain its position among Asia’s elite but also to prove resilience in the absence of a discipline that once guaranteed medals. ***