Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto has announced plans to build a 500 hectare national sports center as part of a long term strategy to develop future national athletes talent.
Speaking at the State Palace in Jakarta on Friday, before sending off Indonesia’s contingent to the 2025 Thailand SEA Games, President Prabowo said that nations excelling in sports are those with strong character.
Prabowo added that he had already discussed the proposed development with Youth and Sports Minister Erick Thohir.
“I have planned for us to build a major sports center. I asked for at least 500 hectares for that center. There is no such thing as a sports center that’s five or eight hectares, no,” Prabowo said.
The Head of State explained that at the sports center, the government would build "EState of The Art" with world-class coaches. The center is intended to train young athletes from as early as age eight.
“We will send our children anywhere they need to go to learn, we will bring in the best coaches, and we will develop them from an early age. We will train them from the age of eight, and we will establish a long-term training and development program,” he emphasized.
Prabowo stressed that this long term athlete development is aimed not only at preparing athletes for the Southeast Asian tournaments such as the SEA Games, but also for larger international stages such as the Asian Games and the Olympics.
Expressing optimism, he said Indonesia’s demographic strength that projected to reach 300 million people, would produce future heroes capable of bringing pride to the nation.
“Sometimes we are too modest, and that’s fine. Let them underestimate us. Suddenly, we will rise. We will emerge as a great nation; that is our hope. Thank you for your spirit, the nation awaits your achievements,” Prabowo stated.
