The minister noted that surfing has huge potential to be developed in addition to being one of the sports that Indonesia has qualified for in the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics to be held from July 26 to August 11, 2024.
"One of the areas of focus is building a surfing center facility to support and grow the enthusiasm of the younger generation for the sport as well as to produce international-level surfing athletes," he noted in a statement issued by his ministry on Tuesday.
Ariotedjo made the statement while attending the 2024 World Surf League (WSL) Krui Pro on Tanjung Setia Beach, West Pesisir District, Lampung, on Tuesday.
Ariotedjo remarked that so far, surfing championships have been held separately and not integrated with each other.
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He cited the example of the implementation of the WSL that was held separately in various regions, including Lampung, Bali, Aceh, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), and others.
Henceforth, surfing events are planned to be combined into one unit so as to further support the future development of the sport.
To this end, the Ministry of Youth and Sports will also include the WSL Krui Pro as part of the national events in 2025 to support young Indonesian surfers.
According to the minister, several young surfers have the potential. Many young athletes have also participated in international championships.
"I see that the WSL series, starting from Krui, has a very big impact on the economy and tourism. I see that this event is extraordinary. For that reason, I will include the Krui Pro event in national events under the Ministry of Youth and Sports," he remarked.
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Translator: Donny Aditra, Raka Adji
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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