Indonesia Men’s Basketball Gains Late Entry to Asian Games 2026

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s men’s basketball team is seizing an unexpected opportunity to compete at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi‑Nagoya, Japan, after initially missing out on qualification.

The late inclusion, announced on August 7, came when a higher‑ranked FIBA Asia nation withdrew, opening a slot in the men’s 5x5 category.

"Originally, the men’s team was not qualified for the Asian Games. But with a slot opening, Indonesia now has the chance to compete," Chairman of the Indonesian Basketball Association (Perbasi), Budisatrio Djiwandono, said in Jakarta on Saturday, September 5, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

He emphasized that the team must maximize this chance by fielding its best lineup against tough opponents in Japan.

The National Team Managing Director Jeremy Imanuel Santoso explained that Indonesia had not met the FIBA Asia ranking cutoff as of December 2025. However, the withdrawal of another country ensured Indonesia’s participation.

Despite limited preparation time, Budi expressed confidence in the squad’s mix of experienced players and emerging talents. Indonesia is grouped with Japan, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia in Group A.

“I believe the combination of seasoned athletes and young talents is a strong foundation to face our opponents. We’ve asked the players to stay focused and give their best performance,” he said.

Chef de Mission Todotua Pasaribu went further, voicing optimism that the team could even contend for a medal. “This is momentum we must fully utilize. I believe the men’s basketball team has the potential to bring home a medal,” he concluded.

The team is among the first Indonesian contingents to depart for Japan on September 7. Their Group A campaign begins against Japan on September 10, followed by South Korea on September 11 and Saudi Arabia on September 13.

Men’s basketball matches start nine days before the official opening ceremony of the Asian Games on September 19. ***