JAKARTA - Youth and Sports Minister (Menpora) Erick Thohir emphasized President Prabowo Subianto's commitment to building national sports achievements through a long-term national training concentration program (pelatnas) has begun to prove itself.
Erick said that this was evident from the continued budget support for the preparation of a number of sports events. This support, he said, is very important because athletes cannot be formed instantly, but must go through careful planning.
"Even for the 2032 Olympics, it should be done today. Other countries have already done it," said Erick when giving a press statement in Jakarta.
He further conveyed his appreciation to the Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa who had provided support for Prabowo's direction regarding the continuity of the national training centralization budget.
Erick said that the support was a positive step for the development of Indonesian athletes, especially in the face of the SEA Games and the Olympics in the next two years.
"This year we have started to get a budget for the 2028 Olympics. This is a positive thing for us. The SEA Games budget is also there for the national team and next year the figure will be much bigger," he said.
In addition to the realization of the long-term training centralization, the Prabowo government also increased the preparation budget for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. From the original only Rp. 81 billion, it has now been increased to Rp. 127 billion and there is an additional Rp. 95 billion.
Thus, the budget for the 2026 Asian Games training center increased to Rp. 222 billion. This nominal is outside the requirements for the departure and return of athletes who have been prepared for Rp. 61 billion.
Erick said that this additional budget was a form of trust in his party and was final. He also asked all parties to maintain the use of the budget in a transparent and responsible manner.
"We must not abuse it. If the athletes are circumcised in the budget, then report it to us. We must finish the corruption. We must be clean and the protection of athletes is the most important," he said.
The 2026 Asian Games will take place from September 19 to October 4, 2026 in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan. Indonesia will send 432 athletes from 35 sports with the target of getting four gold medals.
"We ask athletes and sports to prepare for the target of four gold medals, from badminton, weightlifting, and rock climbing. Then there are other sports that have the potential to win silver, who knows it could be gold," said Erick.
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