Jakarta Pertamina Pertamax and Jakarta Pertamina Enduro Ready to Come Back! Young Athletes to Showcase Their Skills

Jakarta, April 18, 2024 - PT Pertamina (Persero), through PT Pertamina Lubricants and PT Pertamina Patra Niaga, officially endorse and release the Jakarta Pertamina Pertamax (men's) and Jakarta Pertamina Enduro (women's) volleyball teams to participate in the 2024 Proliga competition, which will begin on April 25, 2024. Both teams are optimistic about competing for the championship title with a new team composition, including recruiting some foreign players.

The Jakarta Pertamina Pertamax (JPX) men's team is strengthened with the addition of Luke Smith, an Australian outside hitter who previously played for Voreas Hokkaido club in the Japanese volleyball competition. This strengthens the Jakarta Pertamina Pertamax (JPX) men's team composition, which previously secured the signing of Porya Yali, an opposite hitter from Iran, in March 2024.

The two foreign players can further sharpen the JPX squad, which also includes a string of young players who have excelled nationally and internationally, such as Gunawan Saputra, who won a gold medal in the Livoli Division I event in 2022 with PDAM Tirta Bhagasasi club, Kaula Nur Hidayat, a senior player with experience playing at Khorfakkan Sport & Cultural Club (UAE), Sandy Akbar, who represented Indonesia in the SEA V League 2023, and Aji Maulana, who ranked 5th in the ASEAN Games 2018.

Meanwhile, the position of JPX Head Coach is filled by Yosvany Muñoz Perez, who previously served as assistant coach for the Cuban men's volleyball team in three different periods: 2016–2019, 2020–2022, and 2022–2023. Perez's presence will strengthen JPX's path to clinch the Proliga 2024 championship.

"With a squad filled with new and younger players, we are excited to welcome the start of the Proliga 2024 and are optimistic about presenting a more competitive game to reach the final four and win the championship," said Chef de Mission, Werry Prayogi in a written statement on Wednesday (4/17/2024).

Team Captain Aji Maulana stated that the JPX squad has undergone thorough preparations to participate in the Proliga 2024 competition. "With a new squad composition, we are optimistic about bouncing back and achieving better results than the previous year's competition," Aji said.

Women's Volleyball Team Competes with a New Name

The women's volleyball team, previously competing under the name Jakarta Pertamina Fastron, will now compete in the Proliga 2024 with the name Jakarta Pertamina Enduro (JPE). Enduro is a flagship product of Pertamina Lubricants for two-wheeled vehicles.

In Proliga 2023, the Pertamina women's volleyball team achieved a fairly positive result by reaching the final four and finishing as runner-up. Hany Budiarti, JPE team captain, is optimistic that her team can deliver much better performance this year.

"This year, we will carry a greater responsibility to deliver our best performance, especially considering Jakarta Pertamina Enduro's achievements last year. We are committed to glorifying the team's name and bringing pride to Pertamina and Indonesian volleyball fans," she said.

This year, 17-year-old athlete Gendis Azzahra will reinforce JPE, who was titled as the youngest women's volleyball athlete at the Proliga 2023 and is predicted to be a rising star player in Proliga 2024. Additionally, JPE will also be strengthened by Dita Azizah, who previously won a bronze medal with the Indonesian women's volleyball national team at the SEA Games 2023.

JPE made a surprise by signing Giovanna Milana, who was recognized as one of the top seven outside hitters in the South Korean league season 2023-2024 this year.

"Gia's experienced presence in international matches will enhance JPE's strength and boost the motivation of JPE's young athletes in facing opponents dominated by senior athletes," said Eko Waluyo, Head Coach of JPE. "This year, our target is certainly to win the championship."

Through Pertamina Pertamax and Pertamina Enduro sponsorship as flagship products, Pertamina continues to strengthen its ties with the Indonesian community and promote the spirit of sports among the younger generation.

"Proliga 2024 will be a platform for talented young Pertamina athletes to gain valuable lessons from senior players, in line with Pertamina's long-term development and coaching strategy," explained Werry.

Werry hopes that these team's success on a national stage will serve as a foundation for producing athletes ready to compete internationally and bring pride to Indonesia.

Director of Human Resources (HR) of PT Pertamina (Persero), M Erry Sugiharto, added that Pertamina's support for the JPX and JPE squads is a form of support for the advancement of Indonesian sports.

"Volleyball sports not only reflect family spirit but also demonstrate the energy, active spirit, and sportsmanship characteristic of the millennial generation.

Pertamina not only fosters a love for domestic products but also contributes to the overall welfare of society and enhances Pertamina's brand equity in the long run," he said.

Meanwhile, the Regional Marketing Director of PT Pertamina Patra Niaga, Mars Ega Legowo Putra, stated that this continues the company's commitment to supporting volleyball teams and athletes to compete in the 2024 Proliga. Pertamina Patra Niaga supports the young athletes who join the Jakarta Pertamina Pertamax (JPX) and Jakarta Pertamina Enduro (JPE) teams to gain experience and develop their skills in the 2024 Proliga.

"Hopefully, with this support, the JPX and JPE teams can achieve their best performances in the Proliga while gaining experience in Indonesia's highest volleyball tournament. Through Proliga 2024, we hope Pertamina Patra Niaga can contribute to advancing national volleyball sports. While Pertamax and Enduro are expected to be more recognized, becoming the preferred energy choices for volleyball enthusiasts in Indonesia," Mars Ega concluded. 

Pertamina, as a leading company in the energy transition, is committed to supporting the Net Zero Emission 2060 target by continuously promoting programs that directly impact the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) achievement. All these efforts align with Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) implementation across all Pertamina's business lines and operations.