Gorontalo Half Marathon Urged to Involve Private Sector Sponsors - OPINI

Sun, 08 Mar 2026, 04:54 WIB | By | Source: THEOPINI.ID | Economy

Gorontalo, theopini.id – The Gorontalo Provincial Government (Pemprov Gorontalo) is pushing for private sector involvement in the Gorontalo Half Marathon (GHM), so that the sporting event can develop into a nationally scaled agenda.

‘We hope the Ministry of Investment and Hilirisasi/BKPM can help facilitate private sector partners that can collaborate in the Gorontalo Half Marathon,’ said Gorontalo Governor Gusnar Ismail when meeting with the Secretary/Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Investment and Hilirisasi/BKPM Muhammad Rudy Salahuddin in Jakarta, Saturday, 7 March 2026.

He explained that the regional government plans to steer the organisation of the GHM in the future so that it is no longer fully funded by the regional budget (APBD), but involves sponsorship support from the private sector.

According to him, such collaboration is expected to make the event more sustainable and at the same time enhance the quality of its implementation.

In response, the Secretary of the Ministry of Investment and Hilirisasi, Muhammad Rudy Salahuddin, assessed that Gorontalo Half Marathon has great potential to develop into a nationally scaled sporting agenda in Gorontalo Province.

‘Given the enthusiasm of participants that continues to rise, the GHM should be able to become a barometer for national events in Gorontalo Province,’ he said.

He also stated the readiness of the Ministry of Investment and Hilirisasi/BKPM to help facilitate private sector sponsorship for the event.

Rudy advised that the regional government should also prepare various tourism-supporting activities that are coordinated with the timing of the GHM.

Thus, the event would not only be a sporting event but could also be used to promote tourism potential while driving regional economic activity.

In the meeting, Governor Gusnar also reported that the Gorontalo Provincial Government had signed a memorandum of understanding with ID FOOD in Jakarta on 5 March 2026.

The collaboration is a continuation of plans to develop an integrated poultry industry area in North Gorontalo Regency, as part of the downstream poultry industry programme in Gorontalo Province.

The meeting also discussed other collaboration opportunities that can be facilitated by the Ministry of Investment and Hilirisasi/BKPM, including the development of a sister city programme, promotion of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and support for study programmes for Gorontalo students to Morocco.

Governor Gusnar was accompanied by Regional Secretary Sofian Ibrahim and the Head of the Youth and Sports Office along with colleagues. The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere, noting that Rudy Salahuddin had previously served as Acting Governor of Gorontalo.