Perbasi Asks Erick Thohir To Be More 'Crazy' For Sports Progress

Erick Thohir is expected to support the progress of Indonesian basketball (VOI/Ulfa Gusti).

JAKARTA - The Central Board (DPP) of the Indonesian Basketball Association (Perbasi) positively welcomed the election of Erick Thohir as Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) RI. Congratulations were also made for the minister's new assignment.

Through the Secretary General of Perbasi, Nirmala Dewi, his party said it was ready to work with Erick Thohir to advance Indonesian sports.

"On behalf of the Perbasi DPP, we congratulate you on the inauguration of Mr. Erick Thohir as Minister of Youth and Sports of Indonesia. As a federation, we are ready to work together for the advancement of Indonesian sports in the international world," said Nirmala Dewi in an official release, Thursday, September 18, 2025.

Not only congratulating, on the same occasion Nirmala also advised Erick Thohir to work even crazier. According to him, extra effort and effort is needed to realize sports achievements in the country to become global.

"As a big Indonesian basketball family, we hope that Menpora Erick can be more 'crazy' to work for the advancement of Indonesian sports."

"The problem is, we know, to advance Indonesian sports requires commitment and crazy work that is out of the box in order to give birth to global achievements. The character is in Mr. Erick Thohir," said Nirmala.

Erick Thohir officially became Menpora after being inaugurated by President Prabowo Subianto at the State Palace, Central Jakarta on Wednesday, September 17, 2025.

A day later or on Thursday, September 18, 2025, he officially underwent a handover from the previous Menpora, Dito Ariotedjo, at Wisma Kemenpora, Jakarta.

Furthermore, Nirmala said the Government's full support was very important for Perbasi considering that a number of Indonesian basketball teams would undergo an important tournament.

"We are always optimistic. Yesterday when the Menpora was held by Mas Dito (Ariotedjo) we were also very grateful for his support for Indonesian basketball."

"Currently, Mr. Erick, although only a few hours have been inaugurated, seeing his track record, we are optimistic that basketball, especially and other sports will generally get better attention," said Nirmala.

Perbasi is currently preparing to welcome the international event to be held in Indonesia. In 2028, Indonesia is believed to host FIBA U-17 Women's Basketball World Cup and FIBA U-19 Basketball World Cup 2029.

Then in 3X3 basketball, Perbasi is also strengthening its ecosystem. The hope is that Indonesian 3X3 basketball can participate in the 2028 Olympics. Meanwhile, this year, the Indonesian Men's Basketball National Team will compete in the 2025 SEA Games.