Indonesia to Host 2026 Jetsports Grand Prix to Foster Youth Racers and Elevate International Standing

Indonesia views the upcoming 2026 Indonesia International Jetsports Grand Prix (IGP), scheduled from December 2-6, 2026, at the Jetski Academy Indonesia in Jakarta, as a crucial opportunity to stimulate national youth racers and encourage their interest in the world of jetskiing, aiming for them to compete at a global level. Syaiful Sutan Aswar, Chairman of the Indonesia Jetsports Boating Association (IJBA), stated that becoming a professional jetski athlete requires a long journey, and this event can be utilized to attract the potential of Indonesians interested in the sport. "That is my hope because I know it will not be easy. The process is not short, but it takes decades," Syaiful said at a press conference in Senayan, Jakarta. The two Indonesian jetski racers confirmed to participate in the IGP 2026 are Aero Sutan Aswar and Asqa Sutan Aswar, both biological sons of Syaiful. He emphasized that nurturing champions like his sons requires consistency, and anyone interested in jetskiing must go through all the difficult processes. "I have been training them for decades. Every day they only go to school and jetski. They don't know the outside world. I never taught them to go anywhere," he shared. The championship, initially planned for early August as the Indonesia International Jetsport World Series 2026, saw a change in its name and schedule. This adjustment resulted from discussions and a mutual agreement between Scott Frazier, President of the International Jet Sports Boating Association (IJSBA), and Syaiful Aswar, President of IJBA. The decision is a strategic move to align the championship with the international jetsports tournament calendar, avoid conflicts with other major world championships, and offer wider participation opportunities for international riders and teams in Indonesia. This championship is expected to attract approximately 40 countries and 300 participants. The influx of international participants is anticipated to yield significant positive impacts across various sectors, including national tourism, the hospitality and culinary industries, transportation, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), the creative economy, the sports industry, investment promotion, and enhancing Indonesia's international image. The IGP 2026 is not merely an international competition but is envisioned as a strategic step towards building a sustainable world championship calendar and reinforcing Indonesia's position as a leading sports tourism destination in Asia.