Budget Cuts Should Not Hamper Athlete Development

The budget cuts that also target the Ministry of Youth and Sports are feared to threaten programs aimed at improving sports achievements. In this situation, the government is expected to continue prioritizing sports development so that athletes can still undergo training in preparation for achieving success. On the other hand, the government is asking sports branches to be more creative in finding alternative funding solutions.

In a working meeting with Commission X of the House of Representatives, Thursday (13/2/2025), Minister of Youth and Sports Dito Ariotedjo revealed that the budget ceiling for the Ministry of Youth and Sports in the 2025 State Budget is set at IDR 1.03 trillion. This means there is a budget cut of IDR 1.29 trillion or 55.59 percent from the definitive ceiling of the 2025 fiscal year, which was IDR 2.3 trillion.

This cut will impact various national sports programs. This includes preparations for the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand and long-term national training camps for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Dito emphasized that the sending of athletes to the SEA Games will now be done more selectively, no longer in large numbers as in previous editions of the SEA Games. For instance, at the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games, Indonesia sent 599 athletes, including athletes from sports that are not contested in the Asian Games or the Olympics.

"With this efficiency, the athletes we send (to the 2025 SEA Games) will be more strictly selected, not excessive," said Dito in the meeting.

On the other hand, the long-term national training program, which was initially planned for five years for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, has also changed. In addition to the annual training pattern, such as this year being the 2025 SEA Games, the Ministry of Youth and Sports has decided to prioritize certain sports branches that have great medal potential.

These changes are beginning to have a direct impact on sports that are not prioritized or relevant to the Olympics, such as Kickboxing. This sport was rejected by the International Olympic Committee for inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. One of its athletes, Andi Mesyara Jerni Maswara, admitted to being sent home from the national training camp held in preparation for the 2025 World Games and the 2025 SEA Games.

Jerni stated that she also failed to participate in the trials in Italy and Thailand that were initially planned for March and April. In fact, Jerni said, she had already fought to qualify for the World Games by winning a gold medal at the 2024 Asian Kickboxing Championship in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

So I hope that the heads of each sports branch will calm their athletes, provide a good solution and they will have a better plan for the future.

The World Games, to be held in August in Chengdu, China, is a multi-sport event for sports and disciplines not included in the Olympic program. All athletes participating in the event are the best in the world in their respective disciplines and have qualified through selected events from the International Federation.

"Athletes are not machines, they need coaching. We stop training for just two days, and our physical condition is back to zero. Therefore, we need coaching. Athletes who get long-term coaching are not necessarily champions, let alone those who don't get coaching," said Jerni.

"I got information that the national training is prioritized for sports participating in the Olympics. Then, what about other sports?" he said again.

Weightlifting, which has consistently won medals since the 2000 Sydney Olympics, has not received any certainty regarding the continuation of the national training camp. Olympic gold medalist Rizki Juniansyah said that usually in December or January to April or May there is no budget from the government for the national training camp.

However, on several occasions, there have been bailout funds from the General Chairperson of the Indonesian Weightlifting Association Rosan Roslani for the continuation of the national training, including for athlete salaries. "However, for now there are no signs of that. I hope in the future it will be better to pay attention to athletes, especially priorities that can be tiered or can win medals at the Olympics. Moreover, there are many events waiting," he said.

The high budget cuts of the Ministry of Youth and Sports could have an impact on the national sports program, especially because of the high cuts in the Deputy for Sports Achievement Improvement work unit. The deputy who is in charge of sports achievement development and contingent dispatch received a cut of up to 71.03 percent from Rp 1.63 trillion to Rp 473.5 billion.

Member of Commission X of the House of Representatives from the PKB faction, Habib Syarief Muhammad, highlighted the large cuts in the work unit. Habib questioned the basic reasons underlying the drastic reduction in the budget for improving performance.

According to Habib, it is something contradictory because in the last three years, Indonesia's achievements are quite a lot. With achievements in the field of sports, Kemenpora also contributes to building Indonesia's image in the international arena.

Meanwhile, member of Commission X of the House of Representatives from the PKS faction, Ledia Hanifa, reminded that budget cuts should not hamper coaching. "Especially talking about sports achievements, because what is expected is achievement, then the effort must be continuous so that the perspective must be consistent and planned coaching," said Ledia.

Professor of Sports and Health Sciences at Surabaya State University Ali Maksum said that budget efficiency is indeed needed. However, the Ministry of Youth and Sports needs to be selective in determining which aspects will be affected by efficiency. He suggested that efficiency be applied to ceremonial activities that do not have a significant impact on sports development or sports achievements.

"The Ministry of Youth and Sports must be smart in sorting. What has a direct impact on athlete training, governance in the field must not be reduced, whether it is training, food, or nutrition. If it is reduced, it will definitely have a direct impact on performance," said Ali.

"If we talk about coaching, it means it has to be tiered and sustainable. Because what is being coached and 'built' is human. In coaching, if an athlete does not train for a week or a month, the impact will be felt," he said again.

Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Taufik Hidayat estimated that budget cuts would target support teams more than athletes. He also hoped that efficiency would not lead to the disbandment of the national training center.

"We hope that the (budget) for athletes will remain the same, because the most vital thing is the athletes," said Taufik.

Taufik asked all parties to be patient in waiting for the results of the review. He also asked the sports association administrators, especially the general chairman, to play a role in finding solutions for other funding sources.

"So I hope, the heads of each sports branch calm their athletes, provide good solutions and they have better plans for the future. Honestly, if everything relies on the government, our budget is also not enough. Let's just be realistic," he said again.