YOGYAKARTA - Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) Erick Thohir welcomed the recent sports event, which has become a primadona, namely the marathon. According to him, events that combine sports and cultural tourism experiences can be a strategic effort to encourage regional economies in Indonesia.
This was conveyed by the Minister of Youth and Sports when opening the Mandiri Jogja Marathon 2026 in the Prambanan Temple area, Sunday. According to the Minister of Youth and Sports, the implementation of this sports tourism activity is one way to increase the ranking of regional tourism.
"Mandiri Jogja Marathon is very positive because if we look at Yogyakarta, it is one of the tourism centers. If I look at the ranking for tourist visits from abroad, it is still ranked fourth, for the other ranking Bali," said Erick, quoted from ANTARA, June 21.
According to the Minister of Sports, in addition to encouraging tourism based on culture and natural beauty, it is also necessary to encourage the implementation of sports tourism events.
Therefore, the Minister of Youth and Sports specifically appreciates the implementation of the Mandiri Jogja Marathon which this year enters its seventh edition.
Moreover, there has been a significant increase in the number of runners at the Mandiri Jogja Marathon from year to year, with this year's number of participants setting a record of 10,200 runners from 17 countries.
"So this event is very positive. And I believe that sports tourism not only makes our people healthy, but also economic growth, which is currently very encouraged by the President," said the Minister of Youth and Sports.
"That's why we need to develop new economies, one of which is yasports tourism like this."
In terms of sports culture, according to the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mandiri Jogja Marathon also provides space for public participation in achieving physical fitness.
According to data from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, although demographically the Indonesian population is dominated by young people, their participation in sports is still 17 percent.
"This means that with activities like this, and I see that there are now 104 marathon events in Indonesia, with a total of almost 10.6 million runners if I'm not mistaken, it will certainly encourage the participation of sports for people who have better access to sports," said Erick.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports itself, said the Minister of Youth and Sports, is currently encouraging the implementation of Car Free Day (CFD) in all districts/cities in order to cultivate community sports.
It is recorded that out of a total of 514 districts/cities in Indonesia, currently there are still around 220 areas that hold CFD.
"Well, who knows with Car Free Day, people can start practicing walking, jogging, which can eventually also participate in marathons like this," said the Minister of Youth and Sports.
Mandiri Jogja Marathon 2026 presents four categories, namely Marathon (42.195 kilometers), Half Marathon (21.097 kilometers), 10K, and 5K Fun Run.
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