FMIPA UI Inaugurates Pickleball Court to Enhance Sports Facilities for the Academic Community

Depok, October 21, 2026 – The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia (FMIPA UI), inaugurated a pickleball court as part of its sports facility revitalization on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. Located on the UI Depok Campus, the refurbished court can now accommodate four sports: futsal, basketball, volleyball, and pickleball.

The inauguration was attended by UI Vice Rector for Research and Innovation, Prof. Dr. Hamdi Muluk, M.Si., alongside FMIPA UI Dean, Prof. Dr. Tito Latif Indra, S.Si., M.Si., as well as FMIPA UI lecturers, educational staff, and students.

In his remarks, Prof. Tito stated that the court's revitalization aimed to improve the quality of sports facilities while expanding their accessibility and use by the academic community. He emphasized that sports facilities not only support physical fitness but also provide a space for lecturers, educational staff, and students to interact beyond academic activities.

“We have refurbished this court so that more people can use it and enjoy a wider variety of sports. Sports provide an opportunity for lecturers, educational staff, and students to connect outside classrooms and laboratories. We hope this court will become part of a healthy lifestyle and help improve the sporting achievements of FMIPA UI lecturers, educational staff, and students,” Prof. Tito said.

Meanwhile, Prof. Hamdi Muluk explained that improvements to FMIPA UI's sports facilities were initiated in response to student feedback regarding the court's previously inadequate condition, particularly its playing surface. The feedback was subsequently addressed through a series of gradual improvements.

“Some time ago, students raised concerns about the inadequate condition of the sports court, particularly its flooring. In response, we worked to make improvements in stages. Thankfully, FMIPA UI's sports facilities are now in better condition and can accommodate various sports, including pickleball, basketball, volleyball, and futsal. We hope students, educational staff, and lecturers can make use of these facilities to exercise more comfortably,” Prof. Hamdi said.

The court's revitalization included repainting, resurfacing and leveling the playing area, and installing a pickleball net. With these improvements, a single court can accommodate multiple sports as needed, allowing the faculty to make more efficient use of its outdoor space.

The reopening of FMIPA UI's sports facilities was marked by a ceremonial ribbon-cutting led by FMIPA UI Dean Prof. Dr. Tito Latif Indra, S.Si., M.Si., together with UI Vice Rector for Research and Innovation Prof. Dr. Hamdi Muluk, M.Si.

Other attendees included Chair of the FMIPA UI Academic Senate Adi Wibowo, Ph.D.; Vice Dean for Resources, Ventures, and General Administration Prof. Dr. Ivandini Tribidasari Anggraningrum, S.Si., M.Si.; Head of the Secretariat Dra. Astrid Damayanti, M.Si.; Human Resources Manager Dr. Budhy Kurniawan R., M.Si.; and other members of FMIPA UI's leadership team.

Pickleball, a Sport Gaining Popularity at UI

Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis, and table tennis. It is played on a court measuring 13.41 × 6.10 meters, equivalent to the dimensions of a badminton court, using paddles and a perforated plastic ball. The ball's characteristics produce a different bounce and playing speed from those of tennis, making pickleball an appealing physical activity for people across a range of age groups.

Prof. Hamdi's presence at the inauguration was also connected to the development of pickleball within the UI community. The UI Professor of Political Psychology helped pioneer the UI Pickleball Community, which was established in late 2022 following an invitation from a student in UI's Master's Program in Sports Psychology. The community subsequently grew, and pickleball was introduced as one of UI's extracurricular activities.

This development is also reflected in the establishment of pickleball facilities across several UI units. The Faculty of Public Health, UI, inaugurated its pickleball court in January 2026, followed by UI's Vocational Education Program in May 2026. At the national level, the Indonesia Pickleball Federation has been a member of the Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI) since March 2023. Pickleball was also featured as an exhibition sport at the 21st National Sports Week (PON XXI) in Aceh and North Sumatra in 2024.

Through this revitalization of its sports facilities, FMIPA UI hopes the court will be used sustainably to support physical fitness, strengthen interactions across departments, and create opportunities for lecturers, educational staff, and students to develop their sporting achievements.