Menpora Bantah Stop Pelatnas Preparation SEA Games 2025

JAKARTA - Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) Dito Ariotedjo argued to stop the National Training Center (Pelatnas) for the preparation of the 2025 Thailand SEA Games.

Previously, news emerged that Pelatnas from a number of sports had to be stopped due to the impact of the government's budget efficiency on Ministries/Agencies to support priority programs.

"It's not true. Pelatnas does not stop. This activity continues," said Dito, denying the news as received by the media in an official statement.

Two sports that are said to be forced to stop their National Training are athletics and karate. The Executive Board of the Indonesian Athletics Association (PB PASI) confirmed that it was the result of budget efficiency.

PASI claimed to have received orders on January 31, 2025 to repatriate all their Pelatnas athletes due to budget efficiency.

Dito then ensured that the National Training Center would continue as planned and not be stopped, especially the potential branches of the 2026 Asian Games and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

"Thus, athletes must be able to carry out training in a sustainable manner without interruption," said Dito.

The Minister of Youth and Sports explained that currently the National Training Center evaluation is being carried out so that there is a training break carried out by each sports federation which is part of a more effective planning process.

"The evaluation that has been carried out since January 31, 2025 is part of the repair and optimization process so that there is a training break that is adjusted to the needs of the evaluation results," he said.

The Minister of Youth and Sports acknowledged that there were adjustments in several programs related to budget efficiency. However, he emphasized that this would not interfere with the preparations of athletes to compete in international events.

"The adjustment must exist and indeed be carried out so that the resource allocation is more effective. However, we ensure that everything will go well and will not interfere with the preparation of the athletes," said Dito.