The Ministry of Youth and Sports together with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Cooperatives, MSMEs Synergize in the Synergy of Management and Utilization of Central and Regional Sports Facilities and Infrastructure

Viralterkini.id, JAKARTA, – The Ministry of Youth and Sports (Kemenpora) has officially collaborated with the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) and the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs (Kemenkop UMKM) to improve the governance of sports assets in the regions.

This cross-ministerial collaboration began with joint management of 20 stadiums spread across various provinces in Indonesia.

This collaboration was marked by the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Minister of Youth and Sports Erick Thohir, Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian, and Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs Maman Abdurrahman in Jakarta, Tuesday (2/12/2025).

“This synergy is important because many sports facilities built by the central and regional governments actually become a burden on the budget, especially for maintenance costs,” said Minister of Youth and Sports Erick Thohir after signing the MoU.

Erick explained that so far a number of stadiums were built for large sporting events, such as National Sports Week (PON), but after the event they were abandoned.

As a result, high maintenance costs often burden the Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBD).

Through this collaboration, the government is encouraging more productive management of sports assets by involving the private sector and MSME players in a professional manner.

The scheme is expected to create added economic value while supporting local economic empowerment around the stadium.

“We want the stadium to not only come alive when there are matches, but also to become the center of people’s economic activity, a place for MSMEs to grow, and a source of income for the region,” stressed Erick.

As an initial stage, the government designated 20 stadiums to be jointly managed. The list includes Bumi Sriwijaya Stadium (South Sumatra), Indomilk Arena (Banten), Pakansari (Bogor), Wibawa Mukti (Bekasi), Patriot Candrabhaga (Bekasi), Gelora Bandung Lautan Api (Bandung), Maguwoharjo (Sleman), Jatidiri (Semarang), Gelora Bumi Kartini (Jepara), Kanjuruhan (Malang), Surajaya (Lamongan), Gelora Delta (Sidoarjo), Gelora Madura Ratu Pamelingan (Pamekasan), Joko Samudro (Gresik), Demang Lehman (Banjarbaru), Segiri (Samarinda), BJ Habibie (Parepare), Harapan Bangsa (Banda Aceh), Dimurthala (Banda Aceh), to the Main Stadium of North Sumatra (Medan).

According to Erick, these stadiums were chosen because they have great potential to be developed into centers of regional sports and economic activities.

“If managed well, the stadium can become a source of income from event rentals, community activities, and MSME activities that revolve around it,” he said.

Erick emphasized that this cross-ministerial synergy will accelerate concrete steps in the field.

Regional governments, he said, have an important role because they best understand the financial conditions and needs of their communities.

“We are optimistic that regional heads will welcome this program, because the benefits will be felt directly for the people,” he added.

On the same occasion, the Minister of Youth and Sports said that the three ministries agreed to carry out a comprehensive mapping of sports assets.

The aim is to prevent budget waste and overlapping construction of new facilities that are actually already available.

“Don’t let existing facilities be rebuilt, because it will burden regional finances. It’s better for us to utilize existing ones and improve the quality of management,” said Erick.

Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian added that after the MoU was signed, monitoring steps would be carried out immediately.

He emphasized that he would directly monitor the regional government’s follow-up in the near future.

“In the next two weeks we will see whether any regional governments have started following up on this collaboration. If not, I will hold a coordination meeting via Zoom,” said Tito.

Tito also emphasized his commitment to go directly to areas that were successful in implementing this joint management scheme first.

“We will be present together with the Minister of Youth and Sports and the Minister of MSMEs to see firsthand the areas that are examples of success,” he said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs Maman Abdurrahman assessed that using the stadium as a center for people’s economic activities would open up great opportunities for MSME players.

According to him, the stadium could be a space for local business actors to grow through sports activities, entertainment and people’s bazaars.

“With transparent and professional management, stadiums can become a new economic motor for the region. This is not only about sports, but also community empowerment,” said Maman.

The government hopes that this synergy between ministries can become a new model for managing national sports assets that is more efficient, sustainable and has a direct impact on society.

“We want stadiums in Indonesia to become alive again – not just a symbol of pride, but also a source of prosperity,” concluded Erick Thohir. (ary)