Indonesia to provide higher education scholarships for top athletes

The initiative was finalised following a high-level meeting between Higher Education Minister Brian Yuliarto, Youth and Sports Minister Erick Thohir, and Deputy Sports Minister Taufik Hidayat in Jakarta on Thursday.

The partnership aims to resolve the long-standing conflict between rigorous training schedules and academic requirements.

“We must ensure that our athletes are neither academically sidelined nor stifled in their professional growth,” Minister Yuliarto stated on Friday. “A student-athlete should not have to choose between a podium and a degree.”

To ensure the programme’s effectiveness, Yuliarto proposed the creation of a unified national athlete database.

This digital integration will allow both ministries to systematically identify, select, and monitor the academic progress of recipients, ensuring the process remains transparent and accountable.

Minister Erick Thohir underscored that the scholarship scheme is not just a reward for past achievements, but a bridge to career sustainability.

The programme will target both active competitors and retired legends who have brought international honour to Indonesia.

“We need a clear system that ensures athletic training remains optimal without compromising academic standards,” Thohir remarked. “This is about securing their future long after their competitive years have ended.”