Indonesia's sporting achievements continue to improve: Minister Erick

hartono · Aug 13, 2026

Indonesia's sporting achievements continue to improve: Minister Erick

Youth and Sports Minister Erick Thohir (left) delivers a statement to the press in Jakarta on Wednesday (August 12, 2026). /ANTARA/Muhammad Ramdan.

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Youth and Sports Minister Erick Thohir said Indonesia’s sporting achievements continue to improve, although many sports disciplines have yet to meet expectations.

“Our sporting achievements are steadily improving, although they are certainly not yet perfect,” Erick said in Jakarta on Thursday in response to a question about the development of Indonesia’s sporting performance.

He noted that one of Indonesia’s key achievements was finishing second at the 2025 SEA Games and the 2025 ASEAN Para Games.

Erick, who also serves as chairman of the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI), highlighted performance gains in several popular sports, including football, with Indonesia winning gold at the 2023 SEA Games.

In tennis, he added, emerging athletes continue to develop and make their mark on the international stage, including Janice Tjen and Aldila Sutjiadi.

Additionally, weightlifter Rizki Juniansyah, who previously won gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics, broke a world record, while speed climber Veddriq Leonardo also won gold in Paris.

“Badminton is beginning to bounce back, and our futsal team ranks second in Asia,” he said.

The minister said his ministry is continuing to improve the governance of national sports and youth development. One key strategic step was reducing the number of ministerial regulations from 119 to just four.

He explained that the move aims to ensure that sports performance and the sports economy develop hand in hand, involving the government, private sector, and consumers.

Erick also continues to support the development of sports tourism as a new driver of Indonesia’s economy.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports has made sports tourism a priority sector for the 2025–2029 period.

Events such as road races and marathons, motorsport competitions, and other sporting activities serve as key drivers of sports tourism and can stimulate both regional and national economies.

The minister added that the ministry continues to develop national sports under a new paradigm, moving away from viewing sports as a cost center and instead leveraging them as an opportunity to generate revenue.