Quoted from: Liputan6.com
The 2026 Indonesian Basketball League (IBL) will see a format change in the semifinals and finals. Clubs will face greater physical demands as the series transitions from a best-of-three to a best-of-five format. Consequently, all 11 participating teams must ensure their players’ fitness is thoroughly prepared.
In addition to a longer postseason schedule, competition in IBL 2026 is expected to intensify despite features only 11 teams, driven by major roster overhauls across nearly every club. A total of 36 players have moved to new teams ahead of the season.
Satria Muda Pertamina Bandung, one of the favorite contenders for IBL 2026, has taken proactive steps to maintain player conditioning. SM has partnered with Royal Sports, a leading sports healthcare center in Indonesia.
The signing ceremony took place at Royal Sports in Sunter on Tuesday (Jan 13, 2026), attended by representatives from Satria Muda Pertamina Bandung, management from Royal Sports and RS Royal Progress, and supported by a team of multidisciplinary specialists.
Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Satria Muda Pertamina Bandung players will undergo medical check-ups specifically tailored for basketball—a comprehensive assessment grounded in evidence-based medicine designed to optimize physical fitness and mental readiness ahead of the competition.
Basketball Athlete Care: Satria Muda Teams Up with Royal Sports for IBL 2026
Proper medical management by internationally certified healthcare professionals is crucial to ensuring players remain game-ready.
“Royal Sports respects the distinct demands of every sport and every individual athlete. The assessments we provide for basketball players differ from those for soccer players, as their bodies are utilized differently. We want to ensure they are in peak condition to play, detect injuries at an early stage, and equip athletes with a multidisciplinary team of doctors—because their bodies represent an investment in their careers and their passion for the sport,” said Derice Sumantri, Founder of Royal Sports.
Confident Facing the Rigors of IBL 2026
Through this partnership, Satria Muda gains access to Royal Sports’ comprehensive care network. For musculoskeletal injury management and performance recovery, Royal Sports deploys a dedicated team of Sports Orthopedic & Arthroscopic Surgeons alongside Sports Medicine Specialists.
“Satria Muda Pertamina Bandung has always prioritized the physical health and well-being of our athletes in every aspect of our program. Having Royal Sports as a strategic partner significantly reinforces that commitment by providing dedicated support to keep our players healthy, optimize recovery, and deliver consistent performance in every game,” said Christian Ronaldo Sitepu, Managing Director of Satria Muda Pertamina Bandung.
With this partnership in place, Satria Muda enters the IBL 2026 season with greater peace of mind regarding player health and conditioning, aiming to keep the squad fully fit throughout the campaign.
“Standardized health, nutrition, and recovery programs allow us to maintain peak performance across the entire season. This is a critical component of our preparation to compete at the highest level and achieve top results for the club and our supporters. With this partnership, we step forward with greater confidence toward our goal of winning the championship,” Ronaldo added.