The Surakarta City Government is taking a strategic step to strengthen the training of young athletes by proposing the opening of special sports classes at the Senior High School (SMA) level. This proposal was submitted directly by the Mayor of Surakarta, Respati Ardi, to the Central Java Provincial Government so that the achievement path of local athletes is not cut off after graduating from the Junior High School-level Special Sports School (SKO).
The proposal has been submitted to the Governor of Central Java and the ranks of the Central Java Provincial Education Office and the Youth and Sports Office. One of the options offered is to integrate these sports classes at SMA Negeri 4 Surakarta or other high schools considered representative. This step is considered crucial considering that not many regions in Indonesia have integrated sports training facilities from an early age like Solo.
In addition to seeking regulations at the provincial level, Respati also instructed the National Sports Committee of Indonesia (KONI) Surakarta to actively monitor the development of Solo SKO alumni. This monitoring aims to ensure that graduates continue to receive directed training in various sports branches, not limited to football.
The Surakarta City Government is currently drafting a regional sports grand design to optimize the potential of the growing national sports industry. However, Respati emphasized the importance of a thorough evaluation, including paying attention to the fulfillment of athletes' nutritional adequacy based on input from coaches in the field.
To support competitions, the Solo City Government also plans to revamp the early-age tournament system to run gradually and sustainably, starting from the under-8 (U-8) age group and above. Through an sports ecosystem integrated from upstream to downstream, Solo is optimistic that it can continue to produce golden talents ready to compete on national and international stages.
