Erick Thohir Reveals Details of Discussion with Prabowo at Hambalang
Minister of Youth and Sports Erick Thohir and national team coach John Herdman met with President Prabowo Subianto at his residence in Hambalang, West Java. Erick disclosed that he reported on several matters to Prabowo during the meeting.
“Alhamdulillah, I was asked to report on several things. Number one, the President is very concerned about disability sports,” Erick said after the meeting in Hambalang, West Java, on Friday (19/6/2026).
Erick said Prabowo is focused on improving the achievements of disability sports groups. Prabowo, Erick said, stressed that the disability community must be given genuine attention. “That is why one of the programmes we continue to push is how to support the disability community in Indonesia. Out of a total of nearly 23.9 million or 25.9 million, those who enjoy sports are almost 11 percent. This means the President wants these disabled athletes to be truly looked after,” he said.
Erick said his ministry already has a coaching certification programme for disability groups. In addition, Prabowo expressed a desire to visit the National Paralympic Committee of Indonesia (NPC Indonesia) in Karanganyar, Central Java. “So, after becoming coaches, they can train others. Because of that, the President also wants to see the disabled athletes and will even come to Karanganyar to visit the NPC, which has not yet been inaugurated,” he said. “This is an important part of ensuring that all Indonesian citizens are given equal opportunities.”
Erick continued, saying Prabowo also asked about long-term preparations for national sports. He admitted needing budget support for the National Training Camp (Pelatnas). “I said, ‘Sir, there are several things that need your support.’ And he immediately said, ‘I support it.’ And the Minister of State Secretary and the Cabinet Secretary will immediately follow up. Because the policy regarding the budget for Pelatnas cannot be allocated annually; it must be multi-year,” Erick said. “And the President agreed, because we are preparing the future of our athletes for the Olympics, SEA Games, Asian Games, especially now that many of our athletes are starting to show their achievements.”
Erick pushed for the immediate implementation of a centralised sports academy. This long-term development plan has been reported directly to Prabowo. “And the President also encouraged it, especially with a centralised sports academy that we will start from elementary, junior high, to senior high school levels. So, future athletes, from the age of 8-10 years, will already be nurtured,” he said. “That is what I conveyed, and I also presented the plan for the construction of the sports academy. This is a fundamental part, and the President also asked again about the athletes’ pension fund, which we are still formulating for future preparations. That is what I can report regarding the preparations of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.”