MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - The North Sumatra Provincial Government has reaffirmed its readiness to host the 2027 Asian Women U20 Volleyball Championship. The commitment was conveyed by North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution during a meeting with officials of the Indonesian Volleyball Association (PBVSI) at the Governor's Office on Jalan Diponegoro, Medan, on Thursday, July 30, 2026.
The Asian volleyball championship for women under the age of 20 is scheduled to take place in Indonesia in 2027, with North Sumatra designated as one of the host regions. The indoor volleyball arena at the Sumut Sport Center has been proposed as the official competition venue.
Commitment to International Sporting Events
Governor Bobby Nasution emphasized that the North Sumatra Provincial Government remains committed to supporting both national and international sporting events. Hosting prestigious tournaments, he said, not only enhances the province's reputation but also contributes to sports development while creating broader economic opportunities for local communities.
"North Sumatra is preparing to host national and international sporting events," Bobby said.
According to him, international competitions will help accelerate the growth of the province's sports industry while opening new economic opportunities. At the same time, athletes will have greater opportunities to build sustainable careers and improve their livelihoods through sports.
Bobby stressed that sports development should not focus solely on competitive achievements. Equally important is ensuring the long-term welfare and future of athletes.
"In addition to achieving sporting success, we must also ensure the well-being and future of our athletes," Bobby stated.
The provincial government's support for the 2027 Asian Women U20 Volleyball Championship is also part of its broader strategy to position North Sumatra as a destination for international sporting events. The tournament is expected to attract more visitors while generating positive impacts on the hospitality, transportation, culinary, and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) sectors surrounding the competition venues.
SUMUT SPORT CENTER MEETS INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS: Governor Bobby Nasutionsays the indoor volleyball arena at the Sumut Sport Center meets all international requirements and is suitable to host the 2027 Asian Women U20 Volleyball Championship. (PHOTO: Doc. North Sumatra Communication and Informatics Office)
Sumut Sport Center Meets International Standards
PBVSI Chairman Imam Sudjarwo stated that the indoor volleyball arena at the Sumut Sport Center fully complies with international standards required to host Asian volleyball competitions. This was one of the key reasons PBVSI proposed North Sumatra as the host for the 2027 Asian Women U20 Volleyball Championship.
He explained that the venue meets the standards established by the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) and the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC), significantly increasing the likelihood of receiving official approval.
"Since the venue meets international standards, we are confident that both the FIVB and AVC will approve North Sumatra as the host of the U20 Championship. We hope the entire process will proceed smoothly," Imam said.
He added that having an international-standard volleyball arena substantially strengthens the province's competitiveness in bidding for global sporting events. Modern sports infrastructure remains one of the key requirements for hosting competitions under international governing bodies.
INTERNATIONAL VOLLEYBALL ARENA IN NORTH SUMATRA: PBVSI Chairman Imam Sudjarwo describes North Sumatra's volleyball arena as one of the few international-standard volleyball venues outside Java and expresses confidence in the province's ability to successfully host the Asian championship. (PHOTO: Doc. North Sumatra Communication and Informatics Office)
International Volleyball Arena Outside Java
Imam further noted that North Sumatra's volleyball arena is currently among the few international-standard facilities located outside Java. Given the limited number of comparable venues beyond the island, the facility represents both a strategic advantage and a source of pride for the province.
"North Sumatra has already gained national recognition, including serving as the venue for the send-off ceremony of Indonesia's women's national volleyball team ahead of the SEA Games some time ago," Imam said.
He expressed confidence that North Sumatra's experience in organizing national sporting events will provide a solid foundation for successfully hosting the 2027 Asian Women U20 Volleyball Championship. In addition to modern sports facilities, the province also has experienced human resources and strong support from the regional government in organizing international sporting events.
Through close collaboration between the North Sumatra Provincial Government, PBVSI, and other sports organizations, the championship is expected not only to advance the development of Indonesian volleyball but also to strengthen North Sumatra's international reputation as a region with world-class sports infrastructure.
The meeting between the North Sumatra Provincial Government and PBVSI was also attended by North Sumatra National Sports Committee (KONI) Chairman Hatunggal Siregar, Acting Provincial Secretary Sulaiman Harahap, Head of the Regional Planning, Research and Innovation Agency Dikky Anugerah, Head of the Regional Finance and Assets Agency Timur Tumanggor, and Head of the Youth and Sports Office Mahfullah Pratama. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Darmailawati | EDITOR: Fik Sagala