Teenagers in Buleleng

Teenagers in Buleleng Gear Up for Traditional Sports Competition

Jantra: A Celebration of Balinese Heritage Through Sport

Jantra is a cultural event hosted by the Provincial Government of Bali to highlight and promote traditional Balinese sports through competitions and live demonstrations. The goal is to preserve and introduce local wisdom, traditional knowledge, and folk games to a wider audience — especially the younger generation.

This year, the Jantra event will be held on July 4–5, 2025, at Bajra Sandhi Monument Field, Denpasar. According to a report from Bali Post, three junior high schools from Singaraja are taking part in this year's games: SMP Negeri 1 Singaraja, SMP Negeri 6 Singaraja, and SMP Negeri 7 Singaraja. These schools have been actively preparing by holding joint training sessions at the Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha football field.

Original Picture from Balipost/Yudha

Their mentors are guiding the students through four traditional Balinese games:

• Engrang (stilts)
• Bakiak (long clogs)
• Deduplak
• Hadang (also known as Megala-Gala)

Event coordinator Made Agus Wijaya shared that beyond reviving traditional games, Jantra is also a way to build character and instill cultural values in the youth — especially in this fast-moving digital age.

It’s truly inspiring to see the energy and enthusiasm of Buleleng’s young generation. It’s not just about winning or losing — it’s about teamwork, cultural pride, and rediscovering the joy of traditional play, which can be just as exciting as anything found online today.

Meanwhile, Deputy Dean II Fok Undiksha, Gede Doddy Tisna MS invites students to interpret and implement the slogan, "Mens Situ in Corpore Sano," that is, in a healthy body there is a healthy soul. "This traditional sports game is a physical activity that is healthy for the soul and body/body of students," he added.

Article in Indonesian: https://www.balipost.com/news/2025/07/01/469225/Tiga-SMP-Persiapan-Ikut-Jantra...html