Indonesian athletes and six Asian countries compete in climbing competition

BANDUNG: Indonesian athletes will compete against athletes from six Asian countries – Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Japan, and South Korea – at the international climbing competition titled the EIGER Independence Sport Climbing Competition (EISCC) 2024.

EIGER Adventure Advisor and co-founder of the Indonesian Climbing Federation (FPTI), Mamay S. Salim, stated on Thursday (Aug 15) in Bandung that this year’s EISCC edition is different from previous years. While previous editions of the EISCC were held on a national scale, this year’s event, taking place from Aug 15-17, 2024, in Bandung, will be an international competition, reported Antara news agency.

“Athletes from various countries, including Malaysia, Japan, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, and South Korea, have been invited and are present in Bandung to participate in this competition, which will be held on an international standard climbing wall that has just been completed on Jalan Sumatera, Bandung. The event will mark a new chapter in competitions between local and international athletes,” said Mamay.

According to Mamay, climbing has become an increasingly popular trend, especially after the achievements of four Indonesian climbers who competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics, including the story of climber Veddriq Leonardo, who won Indonesia’s first gold medal in Paris.

Therefore, Mamay mentioned that in this 17th edition of the EISCC, top climbers from various Asian countries will compete against hundreds of climbers from different regions of Indonesia.

This, Mamay said, aligns with the purpose of establishing the EIGER Climbing Centre (ECC), which has been organising the annual EISCC competition since 2001 to popularise climbing and produce outstanding athletes.

So far, young Indonesian climbers like Yuyun Yuniar, Wilda Baco Ahmad, Ronald Mamarimbing, as well as Aspar Jaelolo and Nurul Iqamah, who continue to be leading Indonesian climbers in various international competitions, have emerged.

“The EISCC Championship is not only held to commemorate Indonesia’s Independence Day but also aims to further popularise the sport of climbing in the country. Additionally, the EISCC is expected to be a platform for developing and producing national climbing athletes who excel on the international stage,” said Mamay.

During the opening of the EISCC 2024 competition, the chairman of the West Java Provincial FPTI, Djati Pranoto, explained that this competition has received recognition and approval as an official climbing competition regulated by the FPTI Central Management.

“The FPTI Central Management and the West Java Provincial FPTI support the EISCC competition, which EIGER has held annually. This event has created a positive trend that must continue to be developed and supported. The EISCC in Bandung has created a professional competition climate, and it is hoped that this will continue to produce young climbing athletes from various regions in the country,” said Djati.

Djati revealed that this continuous and commendable event organised by Eiger has become a platform for developing climbing athletes in West Java.

Moreover, from 2024 until 2028, West Java will focus on development and will create many competition circuits specifically for West Java athletes.

“Because the target for West Java in 2028 is to have many West Java athletes participate in the LA Olympics, God willing,” he said.

Meanwhile, EISCC 2024 Event Director, Oscar Siregar, explained that EISCC 2024 would mark a new level in advancing national climbing athletes, particularly for young climbers from various regions in Indonesia.

“All Indonesian athletes competing in EISCC 2024 will compete against athletes from various countries who have flown directly to Bandung. Thus, EISCC aims not only to be a competition but also a means of strengthening international relations through the sport of climbing,” said Oscar.

Climbers from various regions of Indonesia and other countries will compete for a total prize of US$19,500, a new standard set in line with international climbing competition regulations.

“The participation of international athletes is expected to increase the competition and quality of the matches, motivating our local athletes to perform better and be ready to compete at the international level,” said Oscar. – Bernama-Antara