The Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) of the Republic of Indonesia, Erick Thohir, emphasized the urgency of shifting the mindset regarding the national sports sector. In a press conference at the Auditorium of the Communication Agency (Bakom) of the Republic of Indonesia on Thursday (2/7/2026), the Minister stated that sports should no longer be viewed as an expenditure or a state burden, but must be optimized as a revenue opportunity and a means to strengthen the nation's image.
Erick Thohir highlighted the immense potential of the sport tourism sector, which globally contributes up to USD 625 billion in revenue. He emphasized that the development of sports-based tourism could serve as one of the primary catalysts to achieve the national economic growth target of 8 percent set by President Prabowo Subianto.
Hosting various sporting events, ranging from marathons to world-class racing like MotoGP, has proven to deliver a tangible economic multiplier effect for host regions. The Minister pointed to the increased hotel occupancy and transactions in the MSME sector and supporting services in major cities and tourist destinations, proving that the circulation of money within the sports industry is highly significant.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Youth and Sports is currently working to adopt successful sports industry models from developed countries, such as the United States, by encouraging the development of professional leagues across various sports. Currently, football, basketball, and volleyball leagues in Indonesia have recorded promising economic circulation, and the government plans to continue expanding these competitions into other sectors.
In addition to focusing on economic strengthening, the Minister also outlined the government's commitment to ensuring the sustainability of athletes' achievements. This includes long-term athlete development, the initiation of pension funds for athletes, simplification of regulations, and equal access to sports for people with disabilities, as a concrete sign that the success of a country's development is reflected in the progress of its sports sector.
