Gov’t to Adopt National Sports Grand Design to Improve Sports Ecosystem
Minister of Youth and Sports Zainudin Amali delivers remarks on the Merdeka Barat Discussion Forum (FMB9), Monday (13/9). (Photo captured from FMB9ID_IKP YouTube channel)
Minister of Youth and Sports Zainudin Amali announced that the Government has already drawn up a national sports grand design covering the whole sports ecosystem from downstream to upstream sectors.
“President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo during the 37th Commemoration of the National Sports Day in September 2020 ordered us, KONI (the Indonesian Sports Council), the Indonesian Olympic Committee, and stakeholders in sports to conduct a total review of the national sports ecosystem. In response, we introduced the national sports grand design,” the Minister said on the Merdeka Barat Discussion Forum (FMB9), Monday (13/9).
Zainudin went on to say that we have to change the view on sports financing from cost to investment.
“Sports is considered an important investment to foster nation’s characters and nationalism. Besides a state visit, a moment to hoist Red and White national flag and play national anthem Indonesia Raya abroad can also come when winning a sport event,” he said adding sports is also important to develop human resources, enforce discipline, hard work, and optimism.
The optimism, he added, was proven by our athletes who bagged nine medals at the Tokyo Paralympics. They have proved themselves that they are no different from other athletes, he said.
“Sports can also encourage cooperation in a team and unite the nation. The exemplary characters can be formed through sports training,” Zainudin said.
In addition to providing trainings to aspiring athletes, the Government also encouraged sports industry by involving business sector and State-owned Enterprises (SOEs). In that regard, the Ministry and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) on 8 September have inked a Memorandum of Understanding on the development of sports industry. The Ministry affirmed its commitment to improving a governance in national sports development and industry in order to build up public trust.
“Ministry of Youth and Sports will continue to maintain public trust so that more and more people pay close attention to sports, and sports will become a fundamental aspect in the lives of state and nation, be it for personal fitness or for the pride of our nation,” he said. (MINISTRY OF YOUTH AND SPORTS PR/UN) (RAS/MUR)
