“Sports truly deserve to become a culture not only in Jakarta but also in other regions,” he said during a fun run and walk event in South Jakarta on Sunday (August 3, 2025).
The activity marked the conclusion of the Gelar Batik Nusantara event organized by the Indonesian Batik Foundation (YBI). The batik event opened on July 30.
Hidayat, also an Indonesian badminton legend, noted that Indonesia is seeing a surge in public sports events that encourage people to get moving and maintain their health.
He emphasized that the Ministry of Youth and Sports remains committed to supporting such initiatives to help achieve the government’s goal of boosting public participation in physical activities.
“I believe we can see these kinds of events every week, and of course, our ministry supports them. It is our duty to encourage people to engage in sports. This is about getting more people to exercise and rallying them behind sports activities,” he explained.
The deputy minister added that sports and exercise are no longer tied strictly to competitive achievement but are increasingly becoming a part of daily lifestyles. He noted that this trend aligns with President Prabowo Subianto’s mission and vision for Indonesia.
During the event, Hidayat launched a 10-kilometer run, while Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita flagged off participants for a 5-kilometer run. Both later joined citizens for a walk through Pattimura, Jenderal Sudirman, Sisingamangaraja, and Panglima Polim streets.
Several sources indicate that Indonesia has recorded an uptick in the number of runners in recent years. In 2024, the country hosted around 257 running events across various regions — a 60 percent rise compared to the previous year.
Data from the Garmin Connect application shows a significant increase in running activity among Indonesians -- from 56,463 sessions in January 2024 to 242,627 sessions in May this year.
Related news: Young people stand as pillars of the nation: Deputy Minister Hidayat
Translator: Aditya R, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Primayanti
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