Ministry of Youth and Sports Budget Cut by 55.59 Percent, Athletes and Coaches Hopeful and Anxious

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - Athletes, coaches, and sports branch administrators are gripped by anxiety due to the budget cuts of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, which reach 55.95 percent. The cessation of national training camps, the repatriation of athletes, the cancellation of participation in international tournaments, and even salary reductions loom over them.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports (Kemenpora) received a budget cut of IDR 1.29 trillion or 55.95 percent from the definitive budget ceiling for the 2025 fiscal year, which was IDR 2.3 trillion. This figure is the result of budget reconstruction or changes in budget efficiency policies that were initially ordered by President Prabowo Subianto in Presidential Instruction (Inpres) Number 1 of 2025. Thus, the budget ceiling for Kemenpora in the 2025 fiscal year APBN becomes IDR 1.03 trillion.

In the presentation by the Ministry of Youth and Sports during a working meeting with Commission X, Thursday (13/2/2025), it was revealed that this cut has impacted the budget reduction of the Ministry of Youth and Sports' work units, including the Deputy for Sports Achievement Improvement. The work unit responsible for sports achievement development, contingent dispatch, international championship organization, young athlete development at sports centers, and the improvement of sports personnel quality through national certification has received a significant budget cut.

In the definitive budget for the 2025 fiscal year, the Deputy for Sports Achievement Improvement received a budget of IDR 1.63 trillion. After reconstruction, this work unit received IDR 437.5 billion. This means there was a cut of up to 71.03 percent for the work unit directly related to athletes, coaches, and the sports branches.

So, it is no wonder that anxiety is hanging over sports practitioners, especially athletes and coaches. Shooting athlete in the 25-meter rapid fire pistol category, Dewa Putu Yadi Suteja, for example, did not deny that the worry existed. On the other hand, he was also grateful because the Indonesian Shooting Association continued to hold national training and even sent athletes to participate in various tournaments since the beginning of the year.

Dewa, who is currently competing in the 2025 Asian Rifle/Pistol Cup in Bangkok, Thailand, believes that the policy decided by the government has good intentions. As an athlete, he strives to follow what the government has decided and focuses on his duties to train and compete.

"The concern is certainly there. For instance, if there is a delay in salary, athletes will definitely be troubled about buying vitamins. I hope the government continues to pay attention to athletes who are fighting for our country," said Dewa, Wednesday (19/2/2025).

The Secretary General of the Indonesian Judo Association (PB PJSI), Regina Lefrandt Vega, believes that news of budget cuts also raises concerns among judokas and coaches at the national training center. However, her party asks athletes and coaches to remain focused on undergoing national training while the sports administrators seek ways or solutions to manage the impact of the efficiency measures.

Regina said, PB PJSI still does not know how much budget cuts will be. They are still waiting for a review with the Ministry of Youth and Sports regarding this matter. However, the administrators have started discussing to discuss the anticipation.

"From our own General Chair (Maruli Simanjuntak) has committed to maintaining the national training, especially since this has been going on for so long. We do not want them to be sent home. Therefore, we as the management must rack our brains to find a solution so that everything can continue to run in the midst of this condition," said Regina.

Dirdja Wihardja, the coach of the Indonesian weightlifting team, also felt anxious. Dirdja said that weightlifting has a series of agendas in 2025, both for juniors and seniors. Even though there are budget cuts, Dirdja hopes that the agendas will continue.

Dirdja is still waiting for the decision from the Ministry of Youth and Sports which just conducted a review on Tuesday (11/2/2024). He also expressed his hope that the Ministry of Youth and Sports would be selective in cutting the budget so that there would be no repatriation of athletes or cuts in the salaries of athletes and coaches.

So far, karate has been one of the sports that has sent its athletes home from the national training camp as a result of budget cuts. In fact, according to the Indonesian karate team coach, Jintar Simanjuntak, the national training camp involving 38 karate athletes has been held since November 2024 in Bali.

"For the national training program, in accordance with the President's efficiency policy, the Ministry of Youth and Sports has disbanded the national training. Everyone has gone home. As for what will happen next, especially for the 2025 Thailand SEA Games, we are still waiting for news from the Ministry of Youth and Sports," said Jintar.

"In terms of achievement, it is very unfortunate (the sending of athletes home). Because the physical condition of all athletes from the national training camps that have started training since November has been well developed. If they are sent home like this, they will have to start from the beginning again. Which in the end will definitely delay the acceleration of improving achievements," said the bronze medalist at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games.

Athletics was also reported to have sent its athletes home as a result of budget cuts. Like karate, athletics has held training camps to compete in various championships, including preparations for the 2025 Thailand SEA Games. On December 9, 2024, the Indonesian Athletics Association (PB PASI) called 15 athletes, 5 specialist coaches, and 2 support staff.

They were initially planned to undergo national training for a full year until December 2025 at the PB PASI Pangalengan Athletic Training Center, Bandung Regency, West Java. In addition, there are also senior athletes who also train in Pangalengan.

Secretary General of PB PASI Tigor Tanjung said that his party is still maintaining the athletes in the national training center. However, Tigor did not deny the possibility of reducing the number of athletes in the national training center in line with the budget cuts of the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Tigor is also anxious about the decision of the Ministry of Youth and Sports which was only known after the review on Wednesday (2/19/2025) afternoon.

"For now, the national training is still ongoing, still trying to survive with the existing funding capacity, while waiting for the decision from the Ministry of Youth and Sports. It will be known later how many athletes can be accommodated. The hope is, of course, that there will be no changes to the budget so that there will be no reduction in athletes, but it seems difficult too. Most likely there will be a reduction in athletes," said Tigor.

Meanwhile, Minister of Youth and Sports Dito Ariotedjo denied the news of the termination of the national training for certain sports due to efficiency. According to Dito, his party has been conducting an evaluation since January 31 of the national training so that there is a training break applied by each sport.

Regarding budget cuts, Dito said that there will be adjustments in several programs. However, Dito emphasized that this will not disrupt the preparation of athletes to compete in international events.

One of the adjustments is the treatment pattern for the national training center. Initially, the Ministry of Youth and Sports made a plan for a long-term direct training center until the 2028 Olympics. After budget cuts, the national training center that will be carried out with the 2025 budget will only focus on preparations for the event throughout this year.

"The current focus is directed towards the SEA Games in December 2025 as the closest event, and as preparation for the 2026 Asian Games, 2028 Olympics, and Para Games in every event," said Dito.