Pangkalpinang – The spirit of student sports has reignited in the Land of Serumpun Sebalai. The Provincial Government of Kepulauan Bangka Belitung has officially finalized preparations for the 13th Regional Student Sports Week (POPDA) 2026, through a coordination meeting with sports-related agencies across the province, on Monday (12/5/2026).
The meeting was attended by the Head of the Provincial Tourism, Culture, and Youth Sports Office (Disparbudkepora), Widya Kemala Sari, and the Head of the Sports Division, Panji Utama.
It was agreed that the 13th POPDA would be held from July 5 to 10, 2026, in Pangkalpinang.
This prestigious provincial-level student sports event will feature basketball, volleyball, football, and sepak takraw. Both football and sepak takraw would only be competed for male students.
Widya Kemala Sari stated that POPDA was an important moment in the development and scouting of potential student athletes in Bangka Belitung.
“POPDA is not only a competition, but also a platform for character building, sportsmanship, and the search for talented young athletes who are expected to be able to bring honour to Bangka Belitung at the national and international levels,” she said.
Meanwhile, Panji Utama added that his division continued to coordinate with all regencies and cities to ensure the success of the event.
"We are optimistic that the event can be successfully held through the synergy of all parties. Elite student athletes will come up from the event," he said.
The event is expected to be able to stimulate the enthusiasm of the young generation to remain active in sports while also strengthening unity among students in the province.
