SOUTH BANGKA -- PT Timah continues to demonstrate its commitment to improving community quality of life, including by supporting local sports activities through assistance in developing public sports facilities.
This time, PT Timah provided support for the renovation of the Air Aceng volleyball court located in Ketapang Urban Village, Toboali District, South Bangka Regency.
The initiative is part of the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) program focused on health and community development. The volleyball court is expected to serve as a public space that promotes a culture of sports, strengthens community ties, and encourages a healthy lifestyle.
Iki Saputra, manager of the Air Aceng Volleyball Court, explained that the facility is used by people of all ages—from children to the elderly. Besides being a place to enjoy a hobby, it also functions as a social gathering space for the community.
He shared that the court used to be just a dirt field, which caused issues during dry weather due to dust and often resulted in injuries for players. Additionally, the poles were still made of bamboo.
The court’s location next to a road also posed a danger to passing motorists since there was no fence and balls could easily roll into the street.
“With this support from PT Timah, we’re planning to pave the court so it’s more comfortable to play on, and we’ll also build a fence to keep the ball from going into the road and posing a risk to drivers. We also want to replace the net and use iron poles instead of the current bamboo ones,” Iki explained.
According to Iki, they previously relied solely on community self-help to maintain the volleyball court. So with PT Timah’s assistance, they can now have a more proper facility.
“The people who come to practice aren’t just locals—sometimes players from other areas join us for scrimmages. Our afternoon practices are also a way to scout and nurture talented young volleyball athletes. With regular practice, hopefully they’ll continue to improve,” he said.
He also mentioned that their team often participates in volleyball tournaments in different regions, so they’re always motivated to keep training.
“Hopefully, with the court renovations supported by PT Timah, we can train more effectively, take part in tournaments, and even bring home victories. Thank you, PT Timah, for supporting our community’s sports activities,” he concluded.
