REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) Erick Thohir insists that Indonesia should not be just a spectator in the map of the global sports industry that is currently dominated The United States. It was delivered during the opening of Indonesia Sports Summit (ISS) 2025 at Indonesia Arena, Gelora Bung Karno Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Saturday (6/12/2025).
“Indonesia is extraordinary in the eyes of the world, but the reality is worrying. We need to reset it. If we want, we can,” said Menpora Erick, recalling the success of the 2018 Asian Games and a number of other international events.
He assessed that Indonesia has a strong track record as host to a variety of world-class sporting events. “The opening and closing of the Asian Games was spectacular. Merchandise sold out, the queues were amazing. The world basketball championship was a success, the MotoGP audience broke through 140 thousand. We're able to get all that up,” Erick said.
Erick stressed that the sports industry will only grow when all policy-makers have an aligned understanding. “Policymakers should design policies that facilitate, but remain administration-compliant. Policymakers and industry must walk side by side,” he said.
Furthermore, he referred to sport as one of the nation's important pillars. If it wants to be a developed country, he said, the country must ensure a growing economy, strong defense, and excellent sports. “The ISS is to equalize that mindset,” Erick said.
Strengthen industries, from student-athlete to infrastructure asset
Menpora Erick highlights the importance of coaching from an early age and education ecosystem for athletes. “We have to support student-athletes. The president has already agreed 100 LPDP scholarships for athletes because they are an important part of the industry,” he said.
In addition to coaching, Erick also alluded to the area's many neglected sports assets. According to him, this becomes a burden on the budget and indicates the need for new governance. He exemplified the practice of other countries that successfully built a sports industry.
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