The Green Batik Coaches program opened in Pekalongan with optimism and purpose, marking the start of an initiative that connects cultural heritage, youth development, and environmental awareness through sports. Organized by KNVB World Coaches, Inspire, and Green Batik Pekalongan, and supported by Partners for Water, the five-day program invited students as the young coaches to explore how creativity, teamwork, and sustainability can come together to shape positive change in their communities.
The opening ceremony set a warm and hopeful tone. Irwin Andromeda, Head of Youth & Sports Division of Pekalongan City’s Tourism Office, and M. Fajru Sidqi, Vice Rector III of the University of Pekalongan, reminded participants that batik is more than a cultural symbol; it is a living tradition deeply tied to local identity. Yet as proud as Pekalongan is of its artistry, the community also faces environmental challenges, especially the wastewater produced in batik processing. The program’s message was clear: preserving batik’s heritage and protecting the environment must go hand in hand.
Participants began the day with interactive class sessions that encouraged teamwork and self-reflection before moving outdoors for activities that strengthened communication and collaboration. The football-based exercises reflected an essential truth at the heart of Green Batik Coaches’ approach: learning happens through connection, empathy, and shared experience. On the field, students quickly realized that communication is as vital to a winning team as it is to building sustainable communities.
A highlight of the first day was visiting two local batik workshops, Batik Metaflora and Batik Rininta, where participants saw the craft from a new perspective. They admired the skill and detail that go into each piece of fabric while also observing the environmental pressures caused by wastewater from the process. Guided by the Green Batik Pekalongan team, students learned about ongoing efforts to manage and treat this wastewater so that traditional batik production can continue without harming the rivers that sustain local life. It was a powerful moment of realization: sustainability does not mean changing tradition, but improving how it interacts with nature.
The afternoon returned to the field, where teamwork games carried lessons beyond sport. When teams communicated clearly, they thrived; when they didn’t, mistakes multiplied. Through laughter and friendly competition, participants experienced how trust, cooperation, and shared goals form the foundation for any kind of progress.
As the day came to a close, reflections circled a single idea: that every student has a role to play in shaping a greener, fairer future. The blend of classroom learning, football, and field visits gave them new ways to understand the connection between culture and sustainability. On National Batik Day, Pekalongan was not only celebrating its heritage but also charting a path forward; one where young leaders use creativity, collaboration, and care to protect both their traditions and their environment.
