Indonesian Softball League returns after 15 years, aims to pave way to LA28 Olympics
The Indonesian Softball League was played this past weekend in Jakarta, for the first time since 2008, with a total of 11 teams taking part of the event. Six teams competed in the men’s category, while five squads took the field in the women’s competition.
Baladewa clinched the women's title, beating Garuda with a final score of 3-1 while the men's category was won by Garuda after defeating the Mohicans, 4-0.
Accroding to local authorities, the league represents an opportunity to prepare the Indonesia National Softball Team to qualify for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
“The 2028 Olympics represent a goal that fuels our determination,” Gudadi Sasongko, Indonesian Softball League advisor told SEA Today News. “We recognise the challenges ahead, but we have already seen the right path, that had not been seen in the past, with the SEA Games as our initial battleground before reaching the Olympics.”
Six teams participated in the men's category, namely Rubber Ducks Jakarta, Garuda, West Java, Radjawali, Doberman and Mohicans. Five teams played in the women's event: Bumi Asri, West Java, Garuda, Baladewa and Bluejays Jakarta.
The tournament was played at Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Softball Stadium, Senayan, Jakarta.
Men's Podium
- 1st place : Garuda
- 2nd place : Mohicans
- 3rd place : Rubberducks
WOmen's Podium
- 1st place : Baladew
- 2nd place : Garuda
- 3rd place : West Java Sapa Cafe
Indonesia, in 58th position on the WBSC Women’s Softball World Ranking, participated in the Asia Oceania Olympic Qualifier for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, finishing in fourth place in Group B, with a 0-3 record. They are No. 34 in the WBSC Men’s Softball World Ranking.