Around 96 students from UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta have stepped onto the stage of PORSI JAWARA II at UIN K.H. Abdurrahman Wahid Pekalongan. They arrived carrying the name of their university to compete in more than 20 sports, arts, and academic branches, alongside contingents from 17 other State Islamic Religious Higher Education Institutions (PTKIN) across Java and Madura.
The opening night, Wednesday (9/9/2026), was full of energy at the Student Center Building of UIN K.H. Abdurrahman Wahid Pekalongan. One by one, the contingents were called forward. They entered the hall bearing their respective attributes, greeted by music and cheers that made the atmosphere even livelier.
Amid the procession of contingents, UIN Sunan Kalijaga students took part as one piece of this larger gathering of PTKIN students from the Java and Madura region. From Yogyakarta, they came carrying not only a competitive spirit, but also curiosity about the experiences awaiting them in the arena, challenging matches, encounters with students from other campuses, and stories that may well be remembered longer than the results of any single match.
That night was not yet a moment for tallying winners and losers. The competition had not even begun. The stage was still a space for introducing the face of PORSI JAWARA II 2026, carrying the theme "Championship Energy, Nusantara Harmony."
A video showcasing the event's official emblem was screened, followed by an introduction of PORSI JAWARA II's mascot, Batbet, a character blending features of an owl and a bat. The event's identity was introduced before participants entered the long days of competition ahead.
The mood on stage then shifted. Creative dance performances filled the space, followed by a Sufi dance carrying a different rhythm altogether. The arts became part of how PORSI JAWARA II welcomed the students before they met one another in the competition arena.
From there, the evening gradually moved toward a deeper message about what a competition is truly meant to offer.
Amid the buzz of the opening ceremony, UIN Sunan Kalijaga Rector Prof. Noorhaidi Hasan was present, along with Vice Rector for Student Affairs and Cooperation Prof. Abdur Rozaki, Head of the Bureau of Academic Administration, Student Affairs, and Cooperation Dr. Muhammad Luthfi Hamid, and a number of other university leaders. Also present was the Director of DIKTIS (Islamic Higher Education), Prof. Sahiron, who witnessed the event bringing together PTKIN students from across Java and Madura.
As host, the Rector of UIN K.H. Abdurrahman Wahid Pekalongan, Prof. Dr. H. Zaenal Mustakim, M.Ag., made a statement that sounded simple, yet set the tone for the entire event. "I can assure you, we won't be aiming for overall champion. As the host, I'm committed to fairness and sportsmanship," he said.
He did not want victory to be the sole objective. Trophies would certainly be contested, but he believed there was something with a much longer lifespan than any trophy.
"A strong competitive spirit and sportsmanship matter. A trophy is certainly something to be proud of, but character and brotherhood are far more remarkable. That is the value that should be carried home from every match," he said.
At an event like PORSI JAWARA II, students indeed come as competitors who will face off against one another. Yet they also come from the same shared space as PTKIN students. Competition brings them together as temporary rivals, while the encounter itself opens the possibility of friendship once the matches are over.
Director General of Islamic Education at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Prof. Amien Suyitno, then reminded students not to confine their college years to the classroom and grade point averages alone.
PTKIN institutions, he said, are home to a great deal of talent that grows through different spaces. Some students focus on science and research, some choose sports, and others develop their abilities through the arts, including Qur'anic recitation and dance.
This diversity, he said, will become increasingly valuable once students enter life beyond campus.
For that reason, Prof. Amien said, the college years are a time to try many things, to go through the process, to strive, and to build achievements.
"Don't waste this time, time never comes back, and you need to prepare for that," he said.
Prof. Amien urged students not to fear competition. Still, he said, victory must always be pursued the right way.
"Today must be woven together with achievement," he said. "Compete fairly, and hold on to your integrity."
After the series of remarks concluded, the buzz inside the hall gradually gave way to darkness. The lights went out, leaving only a large screen before the participants, which soon began to burst with light and color. Flashes of light shimmered, moving and chasing across the visuals on the screen, as if marking the arrival of a long-awaited moment. Applause broke out. Cheers from the students filled the hall.
Amid the shimmering lights and the energy pouring out from every corner of the arena, PORSI JAWARA II was officially declared open.
Outside the hall, the pulse of the event was felt by the people of Pekalongan as well. The arrival of participants from various regions brought new life to the city. Small stalls and local businesses also felt the effects of the crowds who came for the event. Acting Regent of Pekalongan, Sukirman, highlighted this impact as well.
The night eventually wound down. The music stopped, the stage grew quiet again, and the students prepared to face the days of competition ahead.
For the UIN Sunan Kalijaga contingent, 23 competition branches represent 23 spaces to test their abilities. Some matches will end in victory; others may come to an end sooner than hoped. But their journey has only just begun.
Later, once the noise of the arena fades and the matches are over, what the students carry home may not be trophies or a name recorded as champion alone. There will be matches they once fought for, encounters that once took place, and the brotherhood that grew between the two. For behind every competition, there is always room to grow. (humassk)