Youth and Sports Minister Erick Thohir said Saturday that President Prabowo Subianto approved the scholarships following a formal request.
“I have sent the letter, and 100 scholarships will be awarded to them,” Thohir said at the 2025 Indonesia Sport Summit at Indonesia Arena in Jakarta.
He said athletes are a crucial part of the country’s growing sports industry and must be supported with education that prepares them for life beyond competition.
“We must also guarantee their future. It cannot just be for five years, and they no longer have a prosperous life,” Thohir said.
He earlier announced that the LPDP program would be expanded to include undergraduate scholarships, as it previously covered only master’s and doctoral studies.
Thohir said the policy change, approved by President Prabowo, reflects the government’s commitment to improving the welfare of athletes who bring national pride through international and domestic achievements.
He added that the ministry plans to extend scholarship support to the high school level.
Thohir said the initiative is part of cross-ministerial cooperation, noting that building a solid sports ecosystem requires coordination among multiple government agencies.
To strengthen the national sports ecosystem, President Prabowo previously ordered the construction of a National Sports Center that will include a sports academy, athlete dormitories, integrated training facilities and complete medical services.
The complex is intended to allow young athletes to pursue formal education while undergoing intensive training.
“Young athletes from age 12 should not have to abandon school. They must balance academics with training as they progress toward their next milestones,” Thohir said.
The president has allocated 300 hectares of land for the project, though its exact location has not been disclosed because administrative procedures are still in progress.
“It will feature dormitories, training complexes and top-tier healthcare facilities. The president wants the best environment for our athletes,” Thohir said.
Translator: Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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