NOC Indonesia Studies US Sports Ecosystem to Strengthen National Athlete Development

NOC Indonesia Chairman Raja Sapta Oktohari stated that the insights were gained during the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) in the United States from 18 to 29 June 2026. “Indonesia is a large nation with 280 million people and is the fourth most populous country after the US. We have potential, and through the IVLP, we were able to see how the US builds athlete development pathways from scouting, through youth and teenage levels, to the elite, supported by a highly developed and strong sports ecosystem and industry,” Okto said in an official statement in Jakarta on Tuesday. Okto noted that one key takeaway was the role of universities as a pathway for athlete development. Through systems like the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), higher education institutions serve not only as places of learning but also as centres for competition, research, sports science, and character development for athletes. He emphasised that sporting achievement cannot be built in a fragmented manner. Athlete development requires a connected ecosystem from a young age to the elite level, supported by governance, funding, sports marketing, anti-doping measures, and sports science. “The US builds sport as a tiered ecosystem, including the involvement of universities as a national talent pipeline through the NCAA. This development concept can also be adopted in Indonesia,” Okto said. Beyond athlete development, NOC Indonesia also studied the US sports funding model, which is supported by various sources including sponsorship, broadcasting rights, licensing, donations, commercial partnerships, and philanthropic and business community support. Okto said the findings from the IVLP will be presented to Minister of Youth and Sports Erick Thohir so that relevant concepts can be assessed and adapted to the needs of Indonesian sports. “Sport is an instrument of nation-building, diplomacy, and long-term investment for the younger generation. With a strong ecosystem, good governance, sustainable funding, and consistent development, Indonesia can build a more solid foundation towards world-class achievement and the Olympics,” Okto said. Meanwhile, US Embassy Spokesperson Jamie Ravetz said the IVLP is part of the US commitment to strengthening cooperation and knowledge exchange with Indonesia, including through sports. “The United States was pleased to host the International Visitor Leadership Programme for the NOC Indonesia delegation. Sports have always been a bridge connecting the people of our two countries, and we are confident that 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,” Ravetz said.