The Indonesian Olympic Committee (NOC Indonesia) is taking a strategic step in an effort to enhance national sports achievements by studying the governance model in the United States through the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). This initiative is expected to provide fresh perspectives in integrating athlete development, from grassroots to elite levels.
President of NOC Indonesia, Raja Sapta Oktohari, emphasized that the success of the United States in maintaining consistency at the top of the Olympic standings is rooted in an integrated ecosystem. According to him, Indonesia needs to adopt a holistic approach involving the academic sector, the sports industry, and sustainable funding management, rather than using partial methods.
One of the main highlights is the role of universities in the athlete nurturing system, such as the model applied by the NCAA. This integration is considered relevant to the Indonesian government's long-term vision of supporting a more systematic national athlete development. The study results from this visit will later be reported to Minister of Youth and Sports Erick Thohir to be tailored to the needs and characteristics of Indonesian sports.
Throughout the program series, the NOC Indonesia delegation, consisting of ten representatives, visited several major sports centers, including Chicago, Indianapolis, Colorado Springs, and Los Angeles. In these cities, they delved into strategic partnership models, sports organization operations, and anti-doping governance, which form the foundation of the sports industry's strength in the United States.
The series of visits concluded with an inspection of facilities at the University of California, Los Angeles, which is projected to serve as the athletes' village for the 2028 Olympic Games. Through a deep understanding of financial independence and cross-sector collaboration in the US, NOC Indonesia is optimistic about formulating a more progressive blueprint for the future of Indonesian sports.
