Indonesia Plans National MMA Training Camp to Boost Athlete Development
Tangerang, The Gulf Observer: The Association of Mixed Martial Arts of Indonesia (Pertacami) has announced plans to establish a national training camp dedicated to mixed martial arts (MMA) athletes in 2025. The initiative aims to enhance the country’s representation in global MMA competitions by producing specialized athletes.
Pertacami Chairman Tommy Paulus shared this development following the conclusion of the GAMMA World MMA Championship 2024 in Tangerang, Banten, where Indonesian female athlete Bayu Peni Hendrasswari secured a gold medal for the nation.
“We have devised several programs, including the development of a training camp planned for next year,” Paulus stated.
The chairman explained that the training camp would be exclusively designed to nurture MMA athletes, addressing the current trend where Indonesia’s representation in senior-level MMA competitions comes primarily from athletes with backgrounds in kickboxing, boxing, Muay Thai, and wushu.
Athletes aspiring to join the camp will undergo a rigorous selection process, ensuring only the most qualified individuals are admitted. Paulus hinted at implementing a contract system for those selected to ensure commitment to their training and development.
In addition to the training camp, Pertacami will conduct a thorough evaluation of the athletes who competed in the recently concluded world MMA tournament. This review comes after Indonesia fell short of its target of three gold medals at the event.
“I will focus more on recruiting junior or senior athletes to prepare for the fifth iteration of the GAMMA World MMA Championship in Sao Paulo, Brazil,” Paulus remarked.
Despite the outcome, Paulus commended the Indonesian athletes for their efforts in a tournament that featured over 600 participants from 63 countries. He expressed optimism about Indonesia’s potential to achieve greater success in the future through structured training and development programs.
