Jakarta. Indonesian volleyball player Junaida Santi has been unable to represent the country at several international competitions after declining to undergo a gender eligibility test required for women competing at the international level, according to an official from Indonesia’s volleyball federation.

Loudry Maspaitella, deputy head of performance at the Indonesian Volleyball Federation (PBVSI), said Santi was not suspended by the federation and remained an important prospect for the national women’s team.

“The issue with Santi is only one thing: the gender test,” Loudry said in an interview on the Voli TV podcast, as quoted by Beritasatu.com on Monday.

Loudry said international volleyball authorities had introduced gender testing procedures for women players competing in international events. Players selected for international competitions who do not undergo the required examination are not eligible to take part, he said.

“It’s not because of Santi herself, because this is how it is internationally,” Loudry said.

Santi, who was named the Most Valuable Player of Indonesia’s Proliga in 2025, had previously been touted as a potential successor to star Indonesian player Megawati Hangestri Pertiwi.

Loudry said concerns about Santi had first emerged when she competed at the Princess Cup U-17 tournament in 2022. The issue resurfaced when she represented Indonesia at an Asian Volleyball Confederation event in Manila in 2024 and intensified during the recent U-20 World Championship, he said.

“The peak was at the U-20 World Championship, where she came under even more scrutiny. Because this issue is not just happening to us,” Loudry said.

He said PBVSI continued to regard Santi as a valuable player and expressed concern about jokes and speculation surrounding her gender.

“I actually feel sorry for her. There have been a lot of jokes about her. That’s why we need to set the record straight,” Loudry said.

According to Loudry, Santi possesses the physical ability and skills needed by the Indonesian national team. But he said the federation's ability to support her was limited if she remained unwilling to undergo the procedure required for international competition.

“We need a player like her, but how far can we defend her if she herself is not willing to come forward and take the test?” he said.

Loudry said PBVSI had approached Santi about undergoing the examination but stressed that the matter involved highly personal information and therefore could not be handled like a routine medical test.

“This is highly private. So the approach cannot simply be, ‘Come on, just take the test,’” he said.

The federation also sought to take a more personal approach, including involving a psychologist. PBVSI attempted to guide Santi toward undergoing an examination at a health facility, but she ultimately continued to decline the test, Loudry said.

He reiterated that PBVSI wanted Santi to return to international competition but said she would have to comply with the applicable eligibility procedures.

“We need a player like her, but only if she is eligible; if she actually passes the gender test,” Loudry said.

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