Jakarta (ANTARA) - Cooperatives and SMEs Minister Teten Masduki urged the National Sports Committee (KONI) to empower former athletes to develop sports equipment businesses.

"We already have a financing ecosystem in which the target (is to allocate) 30 percent of bank loans for MSMEs. (We) will assist later," he remarked in a statement received here on Wednesday.

The ministry had inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Sports Committee to develop national micro, small, and medium sports enterprises.

The MoU covered three aspects: the development of a technology-based sports industry through the establishment of a sports business incubator, the growth of sports start-ups, and the preparation of a blueprint for sports equipment.

According to Masduki, Indonesia should lead in the economic sector, including in the sports industry.

"We will follow up on this collaboration immediately through coaching and in terms of financing. I have also urged Deputy for Micro and Small Enterprises, Rachman, to prepare an event related to sports MSMEs, so all National Sports Committee members must use domestic products," he elaborated.

Masduki deemed sports as something that drove a nation's competitiveness; and achievements in that aspect served as an indicator of national progress.

For instance, the United States, China, Germany, and Japan were advanced in sports, as they were supported by an extensive sports industry.

Currently, start-ups in sports, fitness, and wellness products were growing rapidly after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The sports industry comprised groups, including sports schools, gyms, sports camps, professional sports, and nature sports.

"I hope that sports brand start-ups, MSMEs, and cooperatives seize opportunities in every sporting event, especially in the provision of sports equipment and supporting other sports needs," he remarked.

The sports equipment in question could be in the form of fitness equipment, rackets, footwear, balls, clothing, and automotive sports.

Sports promotion was merchandise in the form of clothing, footwear, hats, and trinkets bearing the logo of the team, country, or athlete's name.

The minister believes that the development of MSMEs in the sports sector will help realize the fourth-highest national economic growth in the world after the United States, China, and India.

Head of the Central National Sports Committee, Lieutenant General Marciano Norman, expressed gratitude for the ministry's cooperation. It is expected to strengthen the commitment of the committee, spanning across 34 provincial chapters and 70 sports, to use domestic products.

"I also seek support from the Cooperatives and MSMEs Ministry to (facilitate and) encourage sports industry activists in Indonesia, so that we can move onwards together," Norman remarked.

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Translator: M Baqir I A, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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