President Prabowo's commitment to long-term sports training programs shows results, says Minister

Indonesian Minister of Youth and Sports, Erick Thohir, highlighted that President Prabowo Subianto's dedication to developing national sports through sustained, long-term training programs is beginning to show tangible outcomes. A key indicator is the growing, consistent budgetary support aimed at preparing athletes for a range of international competitions.

Thohir emphasized that cultivating elite athletes cannot be an instantaneous process. It necessitates meticulous planning and continuous financial backing to provide athletes with adequate time to reach their peak performance. He noted that preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics have already commenced this year, and a similar long-term strategy should be in place for the 2032 Olympics, a proactive approach already adopted by other nations.

"We are pleased with the discussions held with the President at Hambalang regarding the development of sports, which must be supported by multi-year budgets for national training camps," Thohir said in Jakarta on Wednesday (August 12, 2026). "Athlete preparation must be annual; in fact, for the 2032 Olympics, it should be happening today. Other countries are already doing it."

The minister also commended the Finance Minister, Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, for supporting the President's directive on sustained funding for training camps. The government has begun allocating funds for the 2028 Olympic preparations, and the budget for the SEA Games national training camps is also secured, with projections indicating a substantial increase next year. "This year, we have started receiving funds for the 2028 Olympics. This is a positive development for us. The SEA Games budget is also available for national training camps, and next year the amount will be much larger," Thohir stated.

Furthermore, the government has boosted the budget for the 2026 Asian Games national training camps. The initial allocation of Rp81 billion was revised to Rp127 billion, with an additional Rp95 billion added, bringing the total budget to Rp222 billion. This funding is specifically for training camp needs, separate from the Rp61 billion allocated for sending the Indonesian contingent to the event. Thohir explained that separating these budgets ensures more focused fund utilization. He views the increased funding as a sign of the government's confidence in the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the athletes, and the sports federations, urging transparency and accountability in fund management. He also warned against any misuse or deductions from athletes' entitlements, encouraging them to report any such issues for investigation.