Minister Erick: President Prabowo's Commitment to Long-Term National Training Proves Effective

Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) Erick Thohir has said President Prabowo Subianto’s commitment to building national sporting achievements through a long-term national training programme (pelatnas) is beginning to show results. One example is the sustainable budget support to prepare athletes for various international sporting events. Erick stressed that athlete development cannot be done instantly. Preparation requires continuous planning and funding so that athletes have sufficient time to achieve peak performance. According to him, preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics have already begun this year, while development for the 2032 Olympics should also start now. “We are pleased that the discussions held with the President in Hambalang about building sports must be supported by a multi-year pelatnas budget. Athlete preparation must be annual, even for the 2032 Olympics it should be done today. Other countries are already doing it,” Erick said in Jakarta on Wednesday. Erick appreciated the support of Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa for the President’s direction regarding the continuity of the pelatnas budget. He said the government has started providing a budget for the 2028 Olympic preparations. In addition, the SEA Games pelatnas budget is also available and is projected to increase in value next year. “This year we have started to receive a budget for the 2028 Olympics. This is a positive thing for us. The SEA Games budget for pelatnas is also already in place and next year the figure will be much larger,” said Erick. Meanwhile, the government has increased pelatnas budget support for the 2026 Asian Games. The budget, previously Rp81 billion, was revised to Rp127 billion, and then received an additional Rp95 billion. Thus, the total pelatnas budget for the 2026 Asian Games reaches Rp222 billion. This budget is specifically for pelatnas needs and does not include Rp61 billion for sending the Indonesian contingent to the event. Erick explained that separating the pelatnas and contingent dispatch budgets is intended to make the use of funds more targeted. He considers the additional budget a form of government trust in the Ministry of Youth and Sports, athletes, and sports federations. Therefore, all parties are asked to ensure the budget is used transparently and responsibly. “It is final because there is only one month left (until the 2026 Asian Games). So, preparations for sports that may have been underway but were still hesitant, we are helping again,” Erick explained. Erick also reminded that there should be no misuse of the budget or deductions from athletes’ rights. He asked athletes to report if they find any deductions from the funds they are supposed to receive. “We must not misuse it. If athletes’ funds are cut, report it to us. We will report it to the BPKP or the BPK. We must eradicate corruption. We must be clean and athlete protection is the priority,” he stressed. With this additional support, Erick asked athletes and sports federations to prepare maximally to pursue achievement targets at the 2026 Asian Games. Badminton, weightlifting, and sport climbing are among the sports expected to be Indonesia’s mainstays in winning gold medals. “We ask athletes and federations to fight hard to prepare for the target of four gold medals, from badminton, weightlifting, and sport climbing. Then there are other sports with the potential to win silver, who knows they could turn into gold,” said Erick.