Sports is one of the aspects of life that has a direct, far-reaching impact, and of course, it becomes the center of interest of state-owned companies.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir echoed his ministry's commitment to help develop national sports, which is part of the strategic role of state-owned firms as drivers of the nation’s development.

"Sports is one of the aspects of life that has a direct, far-reaching impact, and of course, it becomes the center of interest of state-owned companies," Thohir noted during a national sports seminar held here on Wednesday.

The State-Owned Enterprises Ministry has instructed state lender Bank Rakyat (BRI) to lend direct support for organizing the U-20 World Cup, the minister remarked.

In the meantime, state-owned oil and gas firm Pertamina is tasked with contributing to hold MotoGP in Mandalika, West Nusa Tenggara Province, while state-owned telecommunication operator Telkom has been assigned to organize the National Sports Week (PON) in Papua, he noted.

State lender Bank Mandiri is responsible for ensuring the success of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup that serves as a gateway for the FIBA World Basketball Championship 2023. "This especially holds true for badminton, as it is a kind of sport that we take pride in on account of the worldwide achievements we have garnered in that discipline. Hence, the responsibility (of holding the badminton tournament) has been given to Bank BNI," he stated.

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Despite being moved back to 2021, the commitment of state-owned companies to sponsor PON in Papua remained unaffected.

Thohir highlighted the involvement of at least 13 state-owned companies in organizing the event, including state electricity firm (PLN), state telecommunication operator PT Telkom, state airport operator PT Angkasa Pura, and state port operator Pelindo IV.

Apart from readying infrastructure to support the success of the event, state-owned companies have also channeled funding for the sectors that do not receive budget funding from the regional government, as the organizer of the event, he remarked.

Pelindo IV allocated Rp13 billion for port infrastructure, while PLN has built distribution network, mobile relay station, mobile UPS, and generator sets worth Rp246 billion.

"What I have disclosed shows that state-owned companies care about the development of national sports. Sports is part of the economic and social values that we develop and is the first priority of the State-Owned Enterprises Ministry's five priorities," he stated.

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Translator: Arindra Meodia/Suharto
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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