"Yes, I approve this, this (2025 Wonder Wave Festival) is good. We need to coordinate, explore, and try to work together with the federation (Indonesian Wave Surfing Association/PSOI)," he noted in the ministry's statement here on Tuesday.
The Wonder Wave Festival is planned to be held in September 2025. Bali and West Nusa Tenggara are candidate provinces to host the event.
The organizer expected at least 300 international professional surfers to take part in the festival.
Ariotedjo is keen that the festival becomes a sports tourism event that combines sports, creative economy, and entertainment, so that in addition to promoting surfing sports, it can also provide economic benefits to the local community.
He remarked that the festival's implementation will also increase the world's confidence in Indonesia in holding international sports events.
On that occasion, founder of the event organizer, New Live Entertainment, Dino Hamid, stated that surfing competitions will be held during the festival, in addition to being based on the concept of sports tourism.
Hamid said his side will immediately follow up on Minister Ariotedjo's input to coordinate with the PSOI board and establish cooperation with the World Surf League.
He expressed hope that the festival would turn out to be an unforgettable experience for professional surfers while concurrently boosting and promoting Indonesia's surfing potentials.
In addition, he expected that with the event, Indonesia will gain greater popularity in the global community.
"Hopefully, the collaboration with the Youth and Sports Ministry and other parties can run, so that the festival can be held," he stated.
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Translator: Aloysius L, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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