NOC Indonesia Studies US Sports Ecosystem to Boost Performance
The Indonesian Olympic Committee (NOC Indonesia) has utilised its participation in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) in the United States as an opportunity to study a comprehensive sports ecosystem. The focus of the learning included athlete development from an early age, organisational governance, funding, sports marketing, and the role of universities in producing high-achieving athletes.
NOC Indonesia Chairman Raja Sapta Oktohari stated that the United States serves as a successful example of sports development. As the world’s third most populous nation, the US consistently competes at the top of the Olympic medal table alongside China and Great Britain. ‘Indonesia is a large nation with 280 million people and is the fourth most populous country after the US. We have the potential, and through IVLP, we can see how the US builds an athlete development pathway from scouting, youth, junior, to elite levels, supported by a highly developed and robust sports ecosystem and industry,’ Oktohari said on Tuesday.
Oktohari, along with nine other NOC Indonesia delegates, participated in the IVLP in the United States from 18 to 29 June 2026. The delegation included Treasurer Tommy Hermawan Lo, Executive Committee members Josephine Tampubolon, Krisna Bayu, and Greysia Polii, Deputy Secretary General Cresida Mariska, Team Indonesia Director Richard Sam Bera, Safeguarding Officer Tabitha Charmaine Sumendap, Project Strategist Tara Talitha, and Media and Public Relations Consultant Brigitha Sesilya.
Oktohari noted that a key lesson from the programme is that sporting achievement cannot be attained through a fragmented approach. An integrated and sustainable system is required for optimal athlete development. ‘The US builds sports as a tiered ecosystem, including the involvement of universities as a talent pipeline for the national team through the NCAA. This development concept can also be adopted in Indonesia. Moreover, President Prabowo has a mission to advance the world of sports and has given positive signals for long-term national training centre development. What we gained from the IVLP will be reported directly to Minister of Youth and Sports Erick Thohir, so that good and relevant concepts can be studied, adapted, and implemented according to the needs and characteristics of Indonesian sports,’ he said.
During the IVLP, the NOC Indonesia delegation visited Chicago, Indianapolis, Colorado Springs, and Los Angeles. In Chicago, the group attended the inaugural Indonesian-American Games initiated by the Indonesian diaspora. In Indianapolis, they held discussions with Indiana University Head Swimming Coach Ray Looze, visited campus sports facilities, and met with Indiana Sports Corp. In Colorado Springs, the delegation held discussions with the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), and visited the US Olympic & Paralympic Museum. ‘From USOPC, we received a lot of positive input, one of which was the funding model supported by various sources, ranging from sponsorships, broadcasting rights, licensing, donations, to commercial partnerships, and private fundraising through foundations to attract high-net-worth individuals, philanthropists, and the business community, thereby creating a strong foundation of financial sustainability to support Team USA,’ Oktohari said.
The programme concluded in Los Angeles with a visit to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), which will serve as the athletes’ village for the 2028 Olympics. According to Oktohari, the American sports system demonstrates that universities are not only places of learning but also centres for athlete development, research, sports science, competition, and character building. Oktohari expressed his appreciation to the US Department of State, the US Embassy in Indonesia, and all institutions that received the NOC Indonesia delegation during the programme. He expressed hope that the IVLP would mark the beginning of broader collaboration between Indonesia and the United States in the fields of sports, education, leadership, and people-to-people diplomacy. ‘Sport is an instrument of national development, diplomacy, and long-term investment for the younger generation. With a strong ecosystem, good governance, sustainable funding, and consistent development, Indonesia can build a stronger foundation towards world-class achievement and the Olympics,’ Oktohari concluded.
Meanwhile, US Embassy Spokesperson Jamie Ravetz stated that the IVLP programme is part of the US government’s commitment to strengthening cooperation and knowledge exchange with Indonesia, including in the sports sector. ‘The United States is pleased to host the IVLP programme for the NOC Indonesia delegation. Sport has always been a bridge connecting the people of our two countries, and we believe the insights and relationships forged during this programme will strengthen the future of Indonesian sports while reinforcing the long-standing partnership between our two nations,’ said Jamie Ravetz.