DIY will host the 1st Asian Gym for Life Challenge 2026, which will take place from October 15–19, 2026. At the international event, Vice Governor of Yogyakarta Special Region (DIY), KGPAA Paku Alam X, expressed his hope that people with disabilities in the region would also be given the opportunity to participate.

“Thank you for choosing Jogja as the location for this event. We certainly hope that Gymnastics for All (GFA), which will be featured at the event, can become more widely known among the public. If possible, I also hope that people with disabilities in DIY can be invited to participate,” Sri Paduka said while receiving representatives of the Indonesian Gymnastics Federation (FGI).

During the meeting at Gedhong Pareanom, Kepatihan Complex, Yogyakarta, on Monday (July 20), Sri Paduka said that as an inclusive region, the DIY Government consistently encourages the participation of people with disabilities. He also suggested inviting local communities to take part in the event, particularly those closely associated with GFA, such as gymnastics, dance, and performing arts communities.

“Hopefully, the event will run smoothly and Gymnastics for All will become more widely recognized. We should also make use of digital media to further promote both the event and the sport,” Sri Paduka added.

For context, Gymnastics for All (GFA) is an inclusive recreational gymnastics discipline that is open to everyone, regardless of age, ability, or background. It is also a non-competitive discipline that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, genders, and abilities. GFA places greater emphasis on fitness, fun, friendship, and group performances, promoting a recreational spirit and a healthy lifestyle through gymnastics.

Meanwhile, Ita Yuliati Irawan, Chairperson of the Indonesian Gymnastics Federation (FGI), said that Jogja was selected as the host city for the 1st Asian Gym for Life Challenge 2026 because it is one of Indonesia’s leading tourist destinations.

“We see great potential in Jogja for the development of sport tourism, while at the same time we want to support the government’s programs in the sports and tourism sectors,” she added.

Ita revealed that seven countries have so far confirmed their participation in the 1st Asian Gym for Life Challenge 2026. Among them are Denmark, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, and Sri Lanka. She also hopes that the event can serve as a platform to promote Indonesian culture and tourism to the international community through a combination of sports, performances, and community activities.

“The event is expected to involve around 500 participants. It will be held at the Gelanggang Inovasi dan Kreativitas (GIK), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). To add to the excitement of the event series, we will also organize a mass gymnastics session as a pre-event activity,” she explained.