"Regarding funding, I do agree that we need to put our attention on this issue since when every country is doing it, then why are we not," he stated after attending the 2024 National Olympic Committee (NOC) Members Meeting and Extraordinary Congress here, Friday (March 8).
Monoarfa's statements were conveyed in response to the NOC and sports associations' expectation that the state budget allocated for sports be increased, from 0.08 percent to two percent.
The minister affirmed that the government's support, especially in the financial aspect, is essential to ensure Indonesia's athletes can exert their full potential and clock new achievements for the nation.
"Impossible that athletes could perform outstandingly without the government's support," he stated.
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Meanwhile, Monoarfa underscored the importance of being attentive to the livelihood of former athletes who recorded significant achievements for Indonesia during their active years.
Negligence in addressing the issue will cause the younger athletes' generation to become reluctant to present their best performance for the nation, he stated.
The minister also encouraged the national sports to grow and develop according to the Grand Design of National Sports (DBON).
He added that Bappenas awaits sports associations to present their detailed planning on sports and athlete development.
"(The plan) should be detailed, phase by phase, step by step. We cannot become a champion in an instant. It requires cumulative process and patience," Monoarfa remarked.
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Translator: Aloysius Lewokeda, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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