Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) has officially solidified a strategic partnership with the National Sports Committee of Indonesia (KONI) for the Special Region of Yogyakarta. The signing of the memorandum of understanding, which took place on Friday (July 3, 2026) at the KONI DIY Office, marks the commitment of both parties to advance regional sports achievement through the integration of education, health, and research development.
Rector of UMY, Prof. Dr. Achmad Nurmandi, M.Sc., emphasized that his institution is ready to optimize all university resources to support the sports ecosystem. One of the main focuses is providing access to healthcare facilities, including the involvement of sports medicine specialists from UMY to assist athletes across various sports disciplines, particularly those with a high risk of physical injury such as football, futsal, and martial arts.
In addition to medical support, UMY plans to accelerate sports research. Prof. Nurmandi highlighted the urgency of comprehensive data and research as a crucial foundation for formulating more effective athlete development policies in Indonesia. This synergy is expected to bridge the research gap that has long posed a challenge to the development of the national sports ecosystem.
Furthermore, this partnership opens up broader academic pathways for high-achieving athletes in Yogyakarta. Through athlete scholarship programs, UMY is committed to ensuring that sports potential development does not sideline higher education, allowing athletes to continue excelling both on the field and in the professional realm after their athletic careers end.
In his assessment, Prof. Nurmandi praised the DIY Regional Government's progressive steps in providing sports infrastructure and facilities. The existence of adequate facilities across various areas in DIY is seen as a strong asset for this collaboration to nurture local athletes who are highly competitive nationally and internationally.
