KARIMUN — PT TIMAH (Persero) Tbk continues to support sports development and youth development. This time, the company supported the Indonesian Karate-Do Federation (FORKI) of Karimun Regency in organizing a provincial-level karate championship in the Riau Islands.
PT TIMAH’s support was provided for the FORKI Riau Islands Series 3 and POPDA Karate Championship for the Karimun Regent’s Cup, held from July 1–3, 2026, at the Karimun Regency Public Service Mall.
Secretary General of FORKI Karimun Regency, Rika Sapitri, said PT TIMAH’s support played an important role in helping organize the championship, considering that sporting events require substantial funding.
“We are grateful for the support from PT TIMAH. We used the assistance to provide trophies and cover additional operational needs for the championship,” said Rika.
The championship was attended by around 400 participants from various areas across the Riau Islands, ranging from pre-early-age categories to senior level. The participants had the opportunity to showcase their abilities while gaining valuable competition experience through an event that brought together karate athletes from different regions.
The competition featured various categories, including pre-early age, early age, pre-beginner, beginner, cadet, junior, and senior categories, for both male and female athletes. The events included kata and kumite competitions.
According to Rika, organizing the championship was also part of FORKI Karimun Regency’s efforts to provide regular competitions in the Riau Islands. This is important because athletes in the region often face limited opportunities to participate in competitions or tryouts.
“Karate competitions in the Riau Islands are still relatively rare. Sometimes, when athletes want to participate in tryouts, they have to travel outside the region. Events like this are also still uncommon in Karimun,” she said.
With the championship, athletes not only gained opportunities to compete but also had the chance to assess their abilities and strengthen their competitive mindset. The event also served as an opportunity for FORKI to identify potential athletes who could represent Karimun and the Riau Islands at higher-level competitions.
Rika said several athletes from Karimun and Kundur were also targeted to win medals in the championship.
“We want the athletes to gain competition experience, develop their potential, and achieve success. Through this event, we can also identify and scout potential athletes for further development,” she said.
She added that PT TIMAH’s support not only contributed to the smooth running of the event but also demonstrated the company’s commitment to sports development in the region.
“PT TIMAH has been very supportive of athletes’ achievements. We hope this kind of support can continue so that karate athlete development in Karimun can grow even further,” she said.
Meanwhile, support for sporting activities is one of PT TIMAH’s efforts to contribute to the development of young people’s potential in the company’s operational areas. Through support for competitions, athletes are given opportunities to develop their skills, build competitive confidence, and achieve success.
The FORKI Riau Islands Series 3 and POPDA Karate Championship for the Karimun Regent’s Cup is expected not only to produce champions, but also to become part of a continuous athlete development process aimed at producing talented karate athletes from the Riau Islands who can compete at the national level. (*)
