Youth and Sports Minister says MTN Programme focuses on producing patriotic youth

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Erick Thohir, said the focus of the National Talent Management Programme (MTN) is to produce youths with patriotic character to safeguard the unity of the nation. ‘Youth must have a spirit of patriotism so they are not easily divided and can maintain national unity,’ Thohir said when discussing the MTN Programme with Planning Minister Rachmat Pambudy of Bappenas, according to an official statement in Jakarta on Friday. He explained that in addition to patriotic spirit, the MTN Programme is aimed at producing young people who are persistent and determined to compete in the digital era. The youth must also have empathy for their surroundings, both towards fellow humans and towards the environment. He said they will establish a national sports academy integrated from central to regional levels. The academy will have standards set by the Ministry of Youth and Sports to ensure professional training quality and equitable distribution across Indonesia. Not only the development of the national sports academy, the Minister also stressed improving the quality of all aspects of sport, from athletes and coaches to academies and sports teachers in schools. ‘All of them will receive a certification programme involving the sports federations,’ he said. ‘We are also working to ensure athletes receive pension funds as a form of appreciation for their dedication,’ he said. Meanwhile, Pambudy emphasised that strengthening MTN is important to prepare Indonesia’s outstanding human resources. ‘The greatness of a nation is not determined solely by its natural resources, but also by the quality of its people who are innovative, have character, and achieve,’ he said. Through the synergy of various ministries and agencies, the government hopes the MTN system can produce Indonesian youths and athletes who not only excel internationally but also possess strong character and make a real contribution to the nation’s progress.