Semarang, Central Java (ANTARA) - Youth and Sports Minister Dito Ariotedjo expressed his support for public and private schools that include sports in their curricula, as an effort to develop athletes from an early age.

"The ministry is ready to collaborate with and support the development of sports-based education," he stated after visiting the Terang Bangsa High School here on Tuesday.

He lauded the school, which is the alma mater of Pratama Arhan, the national football team (Timnas) defender, who played in the Japan League.

He said the school has created innovation by combining education with sports.

Educational sports can start from basketball, athletics, or swimming.

“We need to note this because the curriculum should not only teach the physical perspective but also the educational element. Hopefully, the (curriculum) can develop early age coaching to produce national and international athletes from Indonesia,” Ariotedjo stated.

According to the minister, the curriculum at Terang Bangsa High School can be an example and be applied in other public and private schools in Indonesia in keeping with the expectations of President Joko Widodo on the development of sports education.

"The combination of formal education with sports education is a good combination, and we hope other educational foundations and institutions in Indonesia can follow this, as education is the main capital of humans," he remarked.

He pointed out that currently, five schools in Indonesia, such as in Jakarta, Surakarta, Sumatra, and Papua, are pilots for the combination of formal education and sports.

"Even though we focus on sports achievement, we must have big dreams for education, so our athletes can have a better future," he affirmed.

In an effort to promote the advancement of sports and produce national and international athletes, the government launched the National Sports Grand Design (DBON) in 2022.

The DBON, as outlined in Presidential Regulation No. 86 of 2021, is a master plan that contains the direction of national sports coaching and development policies.

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Translator: Wisnu A, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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