Governor to involve private sector in funding Gorontalo Half Marathon

Gorontalo (ANTARA) - Governor Gusnar Ismail said that the Gorontalo Half Marathon (GHM) planned for 2026 in the province will involve private sector financing. Speaking in Gorontalo on Sunday after discussions on the GHM with the Secretary/Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Investment and Hilirisasi/BKPM Muhammad Rudy Salahuddin, Gusnar stated that the plan for this year’s event is for the provincial government to stop funding it directly and instead engage private sector partners. ‘We hope the Ministry of Investment and Hilirisasi/BKPM can help facilitate private-sector partners who can collaborate in organising the Gorontalo Half Marathon,’ he said. Responding, Rudy Salahuddin assessed that GHM has great potential to become a nationally significant sporting event in Gorontalo Province. He expressed readiness to facilitate sponsorship support from private sector. ‘Given the growing enthusiasm of participants, GHM should be able to serve as a barometer of national activities in Gorontalo Province,’ Rudy said. He also suggested that local authorities prepare a range of tourism-supporting activities timed near the GHM’s implementation. Thus, the event would not only be a sporting competition but also promote tourism and stimulate local economic activity. In addition to discussing GHM, Gusnar reported that the Gorontalo Provincial Government had signed a memorandum of understanding with ID FOOD in Jakarta on 5 March 2026. The cooperation is a continuation of the plan to establish a chicken industry zone in North Gorontalo Regency, as part of the downstreaming program of the integrated chicken industry in Gorontalo Province. The meeting also discussed opportunities for further cooperation that could be facilitated by the Ministry of Investment and Hilirisasi/BKPM. The cooperation includes development of a sister-city programme, promotion of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and support for study opportunities for Gorontalo students to Morocco.