05/05/2024. State-Owned Enterprises' (BUMN) funding for sports activities has helped a variety of sports branches in Indonesia shine.
Support from many parties is needed to advance sports in the country, especially support from the government in this case companies under (BUMN).
Under the leadership of Erick Thohir, the Ministry of SOEs has been actively supporting Indonesian sports activities. Football is supported by BRI, Badminton is supported by BNI, Basketball is supported by Bank Mandiri, Volleyball is supported by PLN and Weightlifting is supported by Pupuk Indonesia.
Football remains the most popular sport in the country. Its progress is quite obvious, particularly the achievements of the National Team at both the senior and U-23 levels. The senior national team is one step away from qualifying for the third stage of the World Cup 2026 qualification in the Asian zone.
In the U-23 age group, following last year's gold medal at the Southeast Asian Games 2023 in Myanmar, now we're looking ahead to the Paris Olympics 2024. As a debutant team in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2024, Shin Tae-yong's team was able to finish in the top four.
Indonesia's top badminton players are beginning to exhibit encouraging results. Jonatan Christie and his friends continue to dominate international events by bearing the BNI emblem on their chests.
Most recently, the Indonesian Thomas and Uber Teams were able to advance to the final round of the Thomas and Uber Cups 2024. Gregoria Mariska Tunjung and friends qualified for the final after defeating South Korea 3-2. Meanwhile, the Thomas Team defeated China Taipei with a convincing score of 3-0. Both will face the host China in the final match which will be held tomorrow.
The atmosphere of basketball competition in Indonesia is getting more lively after successfully hosted the world championship. In terms of achievement, it is also quite impressive, where Pelita Jaya Jakarta was qualified for the Basketball Champions League Asia, which was held for the first time by FIBA.
Not only that, FIBA as the international basketball federation will also open its office in Jakarta, Indonesia, following what has been done by FIFA as the parent organization of world football.
Volleyball Branch does not want to be left behind; the country's highest volleyball league, Proliga 2024, is now underway. A lot of top world players are participating in this event sponsored by PLN.
Before the Proliga 2024 is held, the famous South Korean volleyball club JungKwanJang Red Sparks, strengthened by Indonesian volleyball star Megawati Hangestri Pertiwi, successfully entertained volleyball fans who filled the Indonesia Arena GBK Senayan.
Another sport, namely weightlifting, which received support from Pupuk Indonesia, was also successful in qualifying its athletes for the Paris Olympics 2024, and successfully regenerated by holding a national weightlifting championship.
Essentially, assistance from SOEs as the foster fathers of national sports is crucial. Daryadi, an Indonesian badminton observer, noted that sponsors are one of the determining factors in a sports team's achievements.
"It is extremely significant because sports have evolved into an enterprise. This necessitates an investment that will eventually result in achievement. So, don't expect to achieve anything unless you invest. SOEs or the private sector must play a role, which entails third-party intervention to boost national sports achievements in all sports, not just badminton or football.
Former Indonesian National Team coach, Nilmaizar, also expressed similar sentiments. Nil, who once coached Semen Padang, felt that the presence of SOEs in all sports sectors was very important. When he was in charge of Semen Padang, Nil really felt the help from SOE for his team.
"Very necessary. So, talking about how far it is needed, it is very necessary. It would be extraordinary if SOEs support Indonesian football, badminton, and other national sports. Because, this has entered the industrial era," said Nil.