Prabowo endorses long-term sports budget to prepare future athletes

Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto has expressed full support for a multi-year budgeting policy to prepare the future of national sports and produce world-class Indonesian athletes.

Minister of Youth and Sports and Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) Chairman Erick Thohir said in Hambalang, Bogor District, on Friday that the President conveyed his support after meeting him directly, along with Indonesia national team coach John Herdman.

According to him, a multi-year budgeting policy is essential to support the implementation of national training camps for Indonesian athletes.

“The policy on budgeting is important because national training camps cannot be funded on a yearly basis. They must be financed through a multi-year scheme. The President agrees because this is about preparing the future of our athletes,” he said.

Thohir added that President Prabowo had instructed the State Secretary and the Cabinet Secretary to immediately follow up on the plan.

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The move comes as Indonesian athletes have begun achieving notable results on the international stage.​​​​​​​

Thohir also reported plans to establish a sports academy that will nurture young talents from an early age.

The government has planned to begin developing future athletes from the elementary education level.

“Moreover, we will establish a sports academy starting from elementary, junior high, and senior high school levels. Those who will become future athletes will begin receiving training from the age of 8 to 10 years,” he said.

The President’s support also includes a full commitment to all Indonesian football development programs, including preparations for qualification campaigns for major tournaments in the future.

“Mr. President also said, ‘As the leader of this country, whatever support we can provide for football, I will do it,’” he stated.

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Translator: Aditya, Kenzu

Editor: Primayanti

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