The Central National Sports Committee of Indonesia (KONI) officially introduced a book titled 'Sports Intelligence' during a launch event held at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Sports Science and Health (FIKK), State University of Surabaya (UNESA). This initiative marks a strategic step toward adopting a data-driven approach to producing high-performing athletes on the global stage.
General Chair of Central KONI, Marciano Norman, emphasized that modern sports success no longer relies solely on physical endurance. According to him, the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) and Big Data processing are crucial keys to analyzing opponents' strengths and developing precise match strategies. This concept has been in development since 2019 with the establishment of a specialized department focused on sports intelligence.
The 500-page book is a collaboration among four experts: Eman Sungkowo, Syarif Hidayat, Jerry Indrawan, and Irandito Abdul Hakim Malik. Across 12 chapters, the authors explain the importance of managing integrated strategic information. They stress that accurate data across various sports disciplines will make it easier for policymakers to determine the direction of athlete development more effectively and measurably.
Eman Sungkowo, as the lead author, explained that the essence of sports intelligence is empowering coaches and athletes to better understand opponents' play patterns through in-depth analysis. In line with this, Syarif Hidayat added that the implementation of this concept requires consistent policy support so it can be applied in the field incrementally.
During the same event, Central KONI also strengthened its partnership with UNESA through the signing of a memorandum of understanding. The session concluded with the Indonesian Sports Intelligence Declaration, a joint commitment by stakeholders to prioritize data-driven innovation to elevate the prestige of Indonesian sporting achievements in the future.
