Al-Zaytun Students Sweep the 2026 PERBASI Cup Indramayu Championship Trophy
By: Dr. Ali Aminulloh, M.Pd.I. ME
True education not only shapes intellectual intelligence, but also fosters physical health, social maturity, and the development of human values.
This principle is continually emphasized by Al-Zaytun as a center for education and the development of a culture of tolerance and peace towards a healthy, intelligent, and humane society. These values are not limited to concepts in classrooms and dormitories, but are also present in public spaces, including sports arenas. The PERBASI Cup Indramayu 2026 Season #1 basketball tournament served as a stage to prove that this educational vision is alive, moving, and achieving.
Al-Zaytun students are widely known for their spiritual depth and intellectual discipline. But at the Dharma Ayu Sports Hall in Indramayu, they speak another, no less eloquent language: sports achievement. Basketball, often associated with top public schools, has now become a medium of expression for students, demonstrating that holistic education produces a balanced, competitive, and civilized generation.
Four Teams, One Direction of Education
This prestigious event, held twice a year by the Indonesian Basketball Association (PERBASI) of Indramayu Regency, took place from January 29 to February 7, 2026, at the Dharma Ayu Sports Hall. Al-Zaytun sent four teams from the Islamic Junior High School (MTs) and Islamic Senior High School (MA) levels, both boys and girls, all consisting of students in grades 7 through 12.
This participation was not simply to enliven the tournament. It was part of character development: cultivating discipline, teamwork, sportsmanship, and mental toughness. These values align with the mission of building a culture of tolerance and peace.
Grand Final: Students Speak with Achievement
The competition culminated on Saturday, February 7, 2026. Three Al-Zaytun teams advanced to the grand final. Departing on two buses from the campus grounds, the athletes carried their prayers, hopes, and the institution’s reputation.
As a result, Al-Zaytun performed brilliantly and swept the trophies:
MTs Al-Zaytun Banin (Boys)
– 1st Place in the Boys’ Middle School Category
Convincingly defeated SMPN 1 Balongan with a score of 52–21.
MA Al-Zaytun Banin (Boys)
– 1st Place in the Boys’ High School Division 1 Category
Defeated SMAN 1 Sindang with a score of 35–26, taking home the PERBASI Cup.
MTs Al-Zaytun Banat (Girls)
– Runner-up in the Girls’ Middle School Category
A proud achievement after the final match against SMPN 2 Sindang A.
This achievement marked a significant improvement compared to the previous year, when the Al-Zaytun team finished runner-up and joint champion in several categories. This year, the performance chart has steadily climbed, demonstrating the results of consistent and focused coaching.
Behind the Medals, There’s a Process
This achievement was born from collective work and serious guidance from the coaches and managers.
Names like Sigit Sugianto, Fathu Thoriq Firdaus, Eri Setiawan, and Giri Khusnul Kharits are part of a coaching ecosystem that positions athletes as subjects of education, not merely seekers of victory. Even the decision not to field the MI team was based on objective evaluation. This is an educational approach that upholds quality and readiness.
Sports as a Language of Peace
For Al-Zaytun, victory is not the ultimate goal. Basketball is understood as a means of instilling a trilogy of awareness:
philosophical awareness in thinking and behaving,
ecological awareness in maintaining balance between the body and the environment,
and social awareness in respecting opponents and fostering togetherness.
On the field, students learn that competition does not have to breed hostility, and victory should not diminish humanity. This is a liberating and humanizing education.
From the classroom to the sports field, Al-Zaytun students emphasize one important message:
a comprehensive education will always produce dignified achievements.**
Indramayu, February 8, 2026
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