Indonesia Aims for 82 Gold in the 2025 ASEAN Para Games

Viralterkini.id, Jakarta – Indonesian Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) Erick Thohir believes that the target of 82 gold medals set by the Indonesian National Paralympic Committee (NPC) at the 13th ASEAN Para Games in 2025 in Thailand can be achieved.

This confidence is based on the maximum preparation that the Indonesian contingent continues to carry out despite facing various limitations.

This was conveyed by Erick Thohir after confirming and releasing the Indonesian contingent for the 2025 ASEAN Para Games at the Surakarta City Hall Hall, Central Java, Saturday (10/1).

The Minister of Youth and Sports appreciated the hard work of the Indonesian NPC, chef de mission, support team, and athlete managers who continue to oversee the preparation of athletes with disabilities.

“Of course, the highest appreciation goes to the NPC, chef de mission, along with the team and athlete managers who prepared the contingent with all existing limitations, but the target is still 82 gold. This is extraordinary,” said Erick Thohir.

The Minister of Youth and Sports considers this target to be realistic if you look at the track record of achievements of the Indonesian contingent at the ASEAN Para Games.

Based on data, Indonesia almost always ends its participation in the event by ranking first or second in the final standings.

In fact, in the last three editions, Indonesia managed to emerge as overall champion at the biggest sporting event for people with disabilities in Southeast Asia.

However, Erick reminded that competition at the 2025 ASEAN Para Games will be tight.

Apart from facing pressure as a major power, Indonesia also has to take into account the strength of host Thailand and other countries which continue to show improved performance.

“Just what happens if we want to rank second or third, apart from the hosts, we also have to take into account neighboring countries such as Vietnam and Malaysia which have good athlete preparation,” explained the Minister of Youth and Sports, who confirmed that he would be present directly in Thailand to provide support to the athletes.

Furthermore, Erick Thohir emphasized that the Ministry of Youth and Sports (Kemenpora) continues to carry out introspection and transformation, not only towards the Indonesian NPC, but also the Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI).

This transformation concerns the preparation and evaluation of short, medium and long term coaching programs, especially in facing various international multi-event events.

One of the main focuses of this transformation is ensuring the future sustainability of athletes after they are no longer actively competing.

The Minister of Youth and Sports said that the government is preparing a career path roadmap for athletes with disabilities as part of the sports staff development program.

“This means that we as coaches really pay attention to the athletes as a whole, not just when they are winning in the arena. We want to make sure there is a clear career path after they are no longer competing,” said Erick.

He also revealed that Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto had asked the government to seriously study the pension fund scheme for athletes.

According to Erick, this discussion is currently being discussed and is part of a large agenda for the transformation of national sports governance.

“The President asked me to study how athlete pension funds will be in the future. This is what we want to do with the team, together with the Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, so that this transformation is not only limited to preparation for the match, but also includes the post-competition phase,” he said.

Regarding bonuses for 2025 ASEAN Para Games athletes, Menpora Erick said that the government had submitted a proposal and was still waiting for the President’s decision.

He hopes that the bonus value given will be equivalent to the bonus for SEA Games athletes, as is the formula applied in previous events.

However, Erick emphasized that bonuses alone are not enough to guarantee athletes’ welfare in the future.

Therefore, the Ministry of Youth and Sports has prepared a financial literacy program for athletes, so that the bonuses received can be managed well and provide long-term benefits.

“We created a financial literacy program so that the bonuses obtained are truly useful for the future. Not only for daily needs, but also as an investment for the future,” he explained.

The financial literacy program, continued Erick, will be synergized with NPC Indonesia as well as various parties and figures who care about sports, especially disability sports.

He hopes that this step can strengthen the sustainable athlete development ecosystem.

“I hope that with all humility, we can continue to consolidate for Indonesia’s achievements, both today and in the future,” stressed Minister of Youth and Sports Erick Thohir.

The 13th ASEAN Para Games in Thailand is an important momentum for Indonesia to reaffirm its position as one of the main powers for disability sports in the Southeast Asia region, as well as continuing the tradition of achievement that has been built in the last few editions.