The Ministry of Youth and Sports (Kemenpora) has established a new paradigm in the development of the national sports sector. Its main focus is to shift the perception of sports, which has long been considered a budget burden, into a strategic sector capable of generating significant economic value and strengthening the nation's image on the global stage.
Minister of Youth and Sports, Erick Thohir, emphasized that this mindset shift aligns with the directives of President Prabowo Subianto. Harnessing the potential of the sports industry and sport tourism is projected to act as an engine for economic growth, while creating new jobs and attracting broader investment interest to various regions in Indonesia.
Global data shows that sport tourism has an economic value reaching IDR 9,800 trillion, while the sports industry as a whole is predicted to continue growing by up to 25 percent by 2032. Indonesia, with its wealth of tourist destinations and successful hosting of international events like the Mandalika MotoGP—which contributed an economic impact of up to IDR 4.9 trillion—is deemed to have strong capital to optimize this market niche.
As a concrete step, Kemenpora is encouraging the more massive organization of sports competitions in various regions. The multiplier effect of sports activities, ranging from the hospitality, transportation, culinary, to the creative economy sectors, has proven capable of driving the local economy. The phenomenon of mushrooming marathon events in the country serves as a clear indicator of how the involvement of millions of participants can stimulate demand in supporting sectors.
In addition to strengthening the sports-based tourism sector, the government is also striving to promote professionalism in domestic sports leagues. By fostering healthy professional leagues, it is hoped that the resulting economic circulation will benefit not only the clubs but also the wider community. This effort is part of a grand vision to create a sustainable sports ecosystem while producing superior human resources in line with the national development agenda.
