Age Is Just a Number, Spirit Never Ages: Srikandi Kodeko Conquers the Field
By: Ali Aminulloh
INDRAMAYU-JAYANEWS.COM – Age may add years to one’s life journey, but it has no right to extinguish one’s spirit. While some people begin to scale back their activities, the women aged 50 to 65—members of the “Srikandi Kodeko” group from KSU Desa Kota Indonesia—were out there running, jumping, and competing on the field. For them, age is merely a number; it is spirit, teamwork, and courage that determine victory.
They demonstrated this spirit during a series of competitions held to commemorate Al-Zaytun’s anniversary. Ten categories were contested: soccer, volleyball, basketball, badminton, table tennis, tennis, hockey, dance, choir, and scientific papers. Amidst the excitement of the competition, Srikandi Kodeko participated in two sports: basketball and volleyball.
The collective efforts of Srikandi Kodeko were led by the General Chairperson of KSU Desa Kota Indonesia, Anis Khoirunnisa, S.Th.I., M.A.P. The driving forces on the ground were representatives of the spouses of the KSU Desa Kota Indonesia community: Dewi Asih Nusantari and Susianti. Leadership, field coordination, and the solidarity of all members served as the driving force that fueled the Srikandi Kodeko spirit in every activity.
The basketball team’s journey did come to an end in the early rounds. However, that setback did not dampen their spirits. Srikandi Kodeko pressed on with their efforts in the volleyball competition. Through hard work, they navigated set after set, eventually making it to the final match.
The culmination of their efforts took place on Wednesday, August 26, 2026. In the women’s volleyball final, Srikandi Kodeko faced off against the Al-Zaytun female student team. The match presented an unusual yet inspiring sight: women aged 50–65 standing across the net from students still in their teens.
The age gap between the two teams was stark. In family terms, it was like a matchup between mothers and children—or even grandmothers and grandchildren. Yet, once the whistle blew, age ceased to matter. What truly counted on the court were spirit, experience, composure, and teamwork.
From the very first set, Srikandi Kodeko took control of the match. Playing with confidence, they closed the opening set with a commanding 25–14 score. Their dominance continued into the second set; through solid teamwork and increasingly focused play, they pulled ahead again, winning 25–12.
The Al-Zaytun student team did not give up easily. In the third set, the students rallied and put up a fierce fight. Srikandi Kodeko had to concede the set, losing 21–25. That loss briefly opened the door for the student team to extend the match.
However, Srikandi Kodeko’s experience kept them composed. In the fourth set, they regained their rhythm. Every player supported one another, maintained communication, and fought hard for every point. Srikandi Kodeko ultimately secured the win with a 25–20 score, sealing the match with a final result of 3–1.
The match scores bear witness to their resilience:
Set I: Kodeko 25–14 Students
Set II: Kodeko 25–12 Students
Set III: Kodeko 21–25 Students
Set IV: Kodeko 25–20 Students
This victory was about more than just defeating a much younger team. Above all, it proved that an enduring spirit can transcend the limits of age. The strength of the Srikandi Kodeko lies not only in individual abilities but also in leadership direction, robust field coordination, inter-player communication, and mutual trust among all team members.
The energy of the Srikandi Kodeko extended beyond the volleyball court. They also enlivened the halftime break of the football final match between the Al-Zaytun Student Team and the Alumni Team at Palagan Agung Al-Zaytun. A group of 100 Srikandi Kodeko members performed the “DIGIDI-DIGIDI” creative dance routine with energetic and spirited movements.
Clad in blue-and-white costumes, vibrant red headscarves, and red-and-white themed hats, they delivered a synchronized and captivating performance. The blend of costume colors, the harmony of their movements, and the cheerful expressions on the participants’ faces brought the performance to life. Every movement embodied harmony, togetherness, and the strong bond of sisterhood among the members of KSU Desa Kota Indonesia.
That day, the Srikandi Kodeko achieved more than just victory on the volleyball court and entertainment for the audience through the “DIGIDI-DIGIDI” dance; they also conveyed a profound message: people do not grow old simply because of advancing age, but rather when they lose the spirit to stay active, create, and participate.
Under the leadership of the Chairperson of KSU Desa Kota, Anis Khoirunnisa, S.Th.I., M.AP., and with the support of field coordinators Dewi Asih Nusantari and Susianti—Kodeko’s own champions—have proven that togetherness can forge extraordinary strength. For them, age is truly just a number. As long as the spirit burns bright, unity is maintained, and the courage to try never fades, anyone can emerge a winner—not only in the competitive arena but in life itself.**
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