Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) Erick Thohir stated that the government is implementing a paradigm shift in the management of the sports sector in Indonesia. This step is taken to ensure that athlete development and the hosting of sports events are no longer viewed as state expenditures, but rather as productive economic instruments.
In a joint press conference with the Indonesian Communications Board (Bakom) on Thursday (2/7/2026), Erick explained that this initiative is a follow-up to the directives of President Prabowo Subianto. The main focus of the Ministry of Youth and Sports currently is to align the vision of stakeholders to see the economic potential contained within the national sports industry.
Erick emphasized that in addition to contributing financially to the country, well-planned sports development is expected to strengthen Indonesia's image on the international stage. This mindset transformation is a top priority for the Ministry of Youth and Sports throughout 2026 to ensure the sustainability of this sector as a potential source of revenue.
