Indonesia and Australia strengthen young athlete development through Kemenpora cooperation

Indonesia and Australia are set to deepen their collaboration in sports and youth development, with the Indonesian Ministry of Youth and Sports (Kemenpora) actively pursuing a partnership with Australia. The initiative aims to establish a sustainable system for nurturing young athletes and ensure the continuity of youth exchange programs between the two nations.

Discussions between Indonesian Minister of Youth and Sports Erick Thohir and Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Rod Brazier in Jakarta highlighted the focus on developing athlete pathways from grassroots levels to elite performance. Indonesia is keen to leverage Australia's experience in building science-based sports systems, known as sport science, to enhance its national development ecosystem. Potential areas for cooperation include talent identification, enhancing coach skills, managing sports facilities, and integrating sport science and sports medicine.

"Australia is an important partner for Indonesia. We see great potential to expand collaboration, especially in talent identification, coach training, sports facility governance, and the application of sport science and sports medicine," Erick stated. As a concrete step, Kemenpora proposed a pilot project for young athlete development through athlete exchanges, joint training centers, and internships for coaches and sports administrators. These programs are intended not only to improve athletes' technical abilities but also to offer dual career pathways, ensuring access to education and post-athletic careers.

To support these developments, Indonesia is advocating for expanded access to Australia Awards Scholarships (AAS) for young athletes, aligning athletic achievement with educational and career advancement. Beyond sports, both countries are finalizing the Australia-Indonesia Youth Exchange Program (AIYEP), a program in place since 1982, which is undergoing final review by Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) before official signing.

Kemenpora is also preparing several national youth agendas for October 2026, including the Wirasena Youth Camp, the Indonesia Youth Summit, and the National Debate Competition. Through this strengthened partnership with Australia, Kemenpora anticipates a more robust bilateral relationship in sports and youth affairs.