Sports Now the Ideal Way to Shape the Character of the Young Generation

FIBA Indonesia & Nestlé MILO collaboration for the Basketball For Good Program. (doc. Milo)

JAKARTA - Sports is no longer seen as just a physical activity or a competition. For many children and adolescents, sports are also a learning space to build discipline, teamwork, confidence, and the ability to face challenges.

Therefore, various early childhood sports programs have begun to be directed not only to achieve achievements, but also to support character development and empowerment of the younger generation.

Seeing the important role, FIBA Indonesia together with Nestlé MILO presents a new collaboration to support the development of early basketball through the Basketball For Good program.

This program is part of the FIBA Foundation's initiative which utilizes sports as a means of education, character development, and building a healthier and active community.

The commitment of this cooperation was marked by the signing of a memorandum of understanding on May 6, 2026. The program targets basketball training for 100 teachers and about 3,000 elementary school students in 100 schools spread across Banten, Makassar, Lubuk Linggau, Kendari, and Samarinda from July to November 2026.

Marketing Manager Beverages & Confectionery Business Unit PT Nestlé Indonesia, Alaa Shaaban, said that sports have an important role in shaping children's character from an early age.

"Sports is not only about physical activity, but also a means of learning life values such as sportsmanship, confidence, perseverance, and teamwork. Through this collaboration, we hope that children can develop more holistically while encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle," he said.

Meanwhile, FIBA Chief Operating Officer Patrick Mariller assessed that the sport can be a medium to empower the younger generation and build a more positive social environment.

"Basketball For Good is based on the belief that sports can educate, inspire, and empower people, especially young people. Basketball is not only seen as a competitive sport, but also as a means of building discipline, confidence, teamwork, and physical and mental health," said Patrick.

This program also involves cooperation with the Indonesian Basketball Association (PERBASI) to support implementation at the regional level. In addition to basic basketball technique training, the program also combines life skills education and character development for participants.

Previously, the Basketball For Good program had been carried out in a number of areas such as Timika, Mataram, Kulon Progo, West Sumbawa, and Ambon.

The program reaches dozens of schools, hundreds of teachers, and thousands of students through various activities that encourage physical, mental, and social involvement through basketball.

Through this collaboration, it is hoped that sports will be closer to the younger generation, not only as a competitive activity, but also as part of a healthy lifestyle and a means of building positive character from an early age.