BUMN Participates In Sports Sponsory, Erick Thohir: Without Forcing

JAKARTA - Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir admitted that state-owned companies often sponsorship in sports matches. However, he ensured that there was no coercion from his side so that SOEs would sponsor sports matches.

"Of course this is appreciation, without coercion," said Erick when met at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII), East Jakarta, Sunday, May 5.

Erick explained that BUMN corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds are not only focused on the education, environmental, and MSME sectors, but also on community activities. For example, sports matches.

"We form CSR focusing on education, the environment and MSMEs. But I also encourage these SOEs to contribute to a social event, namely sports," he explained.

Erick also said that every sponsor given by BUMN is adjusted to the characteristics or character of the state-owned company itself.

Furthermore, he said that the provision of this sponsor also supports BUMN branding in the midst of the public's high enthusiasm for the sport.

"That's why, when asked why it seems like there is a PLN going to volleyball? Yes, it fits PLN and volleyball. Why? Yes, volleyball is a sport that is indeed popular, which is loved by the middle class," said Erick.

"Why is BNI to badminton? Yes, indeed BNI is our international bank, and our badminton has echoed all over the world," he continued.

According to Erick, the sponsorship provided by SOEs provides benefits for SOEs and the sports sector itself.

"So brands meet brands, or brands meet brands to support each other. And it is proven that what has been done so far is very useful," he said.

For your information, several SOEs that provide sponsorship to the sports sector, namely PT PLN (Persero) are sponsors of volleyball sports. Then there is PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk or BNI which is a sponsor of badminton or badminton.

Then PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk and Pegadaian became sponsors of football sports. In addition, there is also PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk as a sponsor of basketball and golf.