MilkLife Soccer Challenge 2025 – 2026 Enters Series 2, Women Care Take the Lead in Kalimantan

Bayan Peduli fully supports the organisation of the MilkLife Soccer Challenge (MLSC) 2025 – 2026 Series 2 in Kalimantan, with Samarinda and Banjarmasin being the two new cities in the tournament series. This addition brings the total number of cities hosting the MLSC to 12, after previously being held in several other areas, including Semarang and Tangerang, which served as the opening cities for the U8, U10, and U12 girls' soccer tournament organised by the Djarum Foundation's Sports Service along with MilkLife.

The number of participants in the MilkLife Soccer Challenge shows a positive trend with an increase in each series. In Series 1 of 2024, 5,163 participants were recorded. Meanwhile, Series 2 of 2024 saw an increase of 10,051 female students participating. Then, in the MilkLife Soccer Challenge Series 1 of 2025-2026, the number of participants increased further, with 17,492 aspiring female footballers from Indonesia taking part.

MilkLife Soccer Challenge Program Director, Teddy Tjahjono, stated that the sustainability of the MilkLife Soccer Challenge is proof of the organisers' commitment to providing a structured and tiered competition space for female soccer players. He believes that the continuity of the tournament is a crucial key in training athletes from a young age.

The MilkLife Soccer Challenge is designed as a long-term program. After Series 1 went well in 10 cities, we continued to Series 2 to provide participants with the certainty of ongoing competition. "This consistency is important so that athletes, parents, and schools see women's soccer as a serious and sustainable development pathway," said Teddy.

Teddy continued, adding that the inclusion of Samarinda and Banjarmasin is a strategic step to expand the training base outside Java Island, while also responding to the high interest and potential of women's football in Kalimantan. He hopes that the positive climate experienced in Series 1 can continue in the upcoming series. Moreover, the former coach of the Indonesian national team, who is now also the Director of the Borneo FC Academy, Jacksen Ferreira Tiago, joined as the Head Coach of the MilkLife Soccer Challenge alongside Timo Scheunemann.

"We see the positive impact of MLSC not only on the quality of players, but also on the growth of the ecosystem. More and more girls' schools and football academies are being established after MLSC arrives in an area. This is the domino effect we were hoping for. The presence of Jacksen, whose reputation as a coach or player is unquestionable, is also hoped to ignite the spirit and improve the quality of the participants, leading to better achievements in the MLSC," he continued.

Vanessa Ingrid Pamela, Group Brand Head Dairy at PT Global Dairi Alami, the producer of MilkLife, emphasised that supporting the MilkLife Soccer Challenge is part of the company's long-term commitment to supporting the growth and development of future generations through sports. He also responded enthusiastically to the addition of two new cities to this year's tournament.

We see the MilkLife Soccer Challenge not just as a tournament, but as a collective movement. The impact is felt widely, from athletes, schools, and parents, to football academies and clubs in various regions. Therefore, we continue to support MLSC to ensure its consistency and expand its benefits. Especially since this series also starts being held in Samarinda and Banjarmasin. So, the more future generations who enjoy sports and #DareToScore," said Vanessa.

Full support for the MLSC event in Kalimantan was provided by Bayan Peduli, which sees the MilkLife Soccer Challenge as a program aligned with its vision of strengthening sports and developing young people, particularly women's football. Bayan Peduli has previously successfully organised a number of sports championships and multi-event agendas such as the Bayan Open 2022, ASEAN Para Games 2022 & 2023, KONI – Bayan Championship 2024 & 2025, and the Road to Paralympic Paris 2023.

The Director of PT Bayan Resources Tbk, Merlin, positively welcomed the collaboration with the Bakti Olahraga Djarum Foundation and MilkLife in organising the MilkLife Soccer Challenge in Samarinda and Banjarmasin. Support for the two cities is based on the successful organisation of MLSC in various regions previously, which aligns with Bayan Group's commitment through Bayan Peduli to support the development of the women's football ecosystem in Indonesia.

The "MilkLife Soccer Challenge," initiated by the Djarum Foundation's Sports Service and MilkLife, is one of the strategic platforms for strengthening the commitment of Bayan Group's CSR program through Bayan Peduli in the field of sports, particularly in the development of young Indonesian athletes, specifically in women's football. The enthusiasm of the participants, the involvement of schools and related departments, and the emergence of new girls' football academies are positive indicators. Through Bayan Peduli, we want to contribute to strengthening the women's football ecosystem in Kalimantan by providing full support for the organisation of the MilkLife Soccer Challenge in Samarinda and Banjarmasin," he said.

Entering Series 2 and reaching new regions as far as Kalimantan, the MilkLife Soccer Challenge 2025 – 2026 is expected to further strengthen the foundation of women's football in Indonesia, while also opening up more training opportunities for young talents from various regions.

"We hope that Bayan Peduli's participation in the MilkLife Soccer Challenge can encourage more female students in Kalimantan to love and pursue football from an early age." "From here, we are optimistic that a generation of female footballers will be born who will eventually be able to bring the Indonesian Women's National Football Team to success on the world stage, including in the Women's World Cup," explained Merlin.

Since its inception, the MLSC has been deemed successful in creating a ripple effect, from increasing young women's interest in football, to the growth of extracurricular activities and women's football schools in various regions, and the opening of pathways for development towards higher levels, including national team selection.

Leonardo Sedubun, the founder and head coach of SSB None Mude, stated that the MLSC tournament has a significant impact on the development and popularisation of women's football. For example, SSB None Mude, which was formed for the first time after the MilkLife Soccer Challenge All-Stars in January 2025, only had 20 athletes. However, now no less than 100 female athletes are registered at the SSB.

"After the MilkLife Soccer Challenge All-Stars, many people came to us to sign up for training." Now there are about 100 athletes at SSB None Mude. We also recommended quite a few of them to other SSB teams, because the distance from their homes to the training ground is quite far," said Leo, who also serves as the Head Coach of the MilkLife Soccer Challenge Tangerang.

He added that the program, run by the Djarum Foundation's Sports Bakti and MilkLife through tiered and continuous tournaments, is in line with the guidelines. Starting with the MilkLife Soccer Challenge targeting U-8, U-10, and U-12 age groups, followed by the Hydroplus Pertiwi Cup U-14 & U-16, and the Hydroplus Soccer League U-15 & U-18.

So now, large clubs and football schools like Raga Negeri FC and Astam FC in Tangerang are opening classes for girls. Previously, it was only for boys and the focus was on seniors because they played in Liga 3. Similarly, Putri Tangsel City or Roket FC is gaining more and more popularity. Because the MLSC and Hydroplus Soccer League are held regularly, the athletes are enthusiastic about training to upgrade their skills. Because they now have a platform, they feel noticed and encouraged to explore their abilities. "We need to oversee this so that the flow is correct until there's a senior league," Leo added.

One of the participants, Zilda Afna Syaqila, admitted to being enthusiastic about welcoming the MilkLife Soccer Challenge Series 2 2025 – 2026. For him, this tournament, which made him fall in love with the world of football, is a positive platform for developing technical skills and a basis for evaluation. In addition, the achievement of winning the MilkLife Soccer Challenge Jakarta Series 1 2025-2026 in the U-12 age group with the SDN Kunciran 4 team, as well as being the top scorer with 30 goals, further motivates him to pursue his dream of becoming a national team player.

"I started as a goalkeeper, but I began Series 1 as a midfielder and it turned out to be a better fit." The MilkLife Soccer Challenge and the Hydroplus Soccer League made me love soccer, and I finally joined a soccer school to practice harder so I could become a national team player. I learnt many valuable lessons from this tournament as well as during the MilkLife Soccer Extra Training. "Hopefully, my achievements and the team's in Series 2 will be better than in the previous series," said Zilda, who plays for SSB None Mude.

In addition to the 7 vs 7 format for U10 and U12 age groups, the MilkLife Soccer Challenge 2025 – 2026 also brings back the SenengSoccer Festival for U8 age groups, as well as the Skill Challenge, which serves as a means of introducing and developing basic football skills from an early age. After two series are completed across all host cities, the program will conclude with the MilkLife Soccer Challenge All-Stars, which brings together the best talents from each city, curated throughout the tournament and undergoing intensive training at MilkLife Soccer Extra Training.

There is a difference in the match format for the MilkLife Soccer Challenge All-Stars 2025 – 2026, which previously was 7 vs 7 and is now 9 vs 9. The MilkLife Soccer Challenge All-Stars 2025 – 2026 is scheduled to be held in June 2026 at the Supersoccer Arena in Kudus, Central Java. They will represent their respective cities to compete for the championship podium.

• Semarang: January 13 – 18, 2026
• Tangerang: January 13 – 18, 2026
• Bandung: January 27 – February 1, 2026
• Yogyakarta: January 27 – February 1, 2026
• Solo: February 10 – 15, 2026
• Jakarta: February 10 – 15, 2026
• Samarinda: April 23 – 26, 2026 (by Bayan Peduli)
• Bekasi: April 28 – May 3, 2026
• Banjarmasin: April 30 – May 3, 2026 (by Bayan Peduli)
• Kudus: May 12 – 17, 2026
• Surabaya: May 12 – 17, 2026
• Malang: May 19 – 24, 2026

Visit www.milklifesoccer.com to see the schedule, match results, standings, and the MilkLife Soccer Challenge top scorer list. And follow the MilkLife Soccer Challenge social media accounts (Instagram @milklifesoccer, TikTok @milklifesoccer, YouTube @milklifesoccer) for interesting information about the development of women's football.