Jakarta, July 9, 2025 – The Government of Indonesia, through the Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs (Kemenpora RI), in collaboration with the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP), officially launched the Sports Scholarship Program — a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening the national sports ecosystem and ensuring long-term welfare for sports professionals.
The program offers scholarships for active and retired athletes, as well as sports professionals, to pursue master’s and doctoral degrees, both in Indonesia and abroad. It represents the government’s strong commitment to viewing sports not only as a matter of short-term achievement but also as a vital part of sustainable human capital development.
“This scholarship is a reflection of the state’s presence and support in safeguarding the welfare and future of our sports community, and in reinforcing the national sports ecosystem,” said Minister of Youth and Sports Dito Ariotedjo.
The Minister emphasized that this initiative equips retired athletes with the tools to build new careers beyond competition. More than just an educational pathway, the scholarship serves as a transformational instrument, offering two entry tracks: performance enhancement and achievement recognition. These paths allow sports professionals to contribute to the development of sports science, management, and national policy.
Looking ahead, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, in coordination with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemdiktisaintek RI), is planning to expand the program to undergraduate (S1) levels and revive sports schools across the country. This long-term vision aims to nurture a generation of excellence through a sports-based educational approach — from early development to professional realization.
“Through education, the government seeks to build a generation that embodies strong sportsmanship from upstream to downstream,” Minister Dito added.
Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Prof. Pratikno, praised the initiative, highlighting the importance of sports as a core pillar in character development.
“We hope to see the continued emergence of excellent human resources. I believe high-performing athletes joining this program will become even more remarkable, as they already possess strong discipline,” he said.
Sudarto, Acting President Director of LPDP, emphasized the program’s selective, adaptive, and inclusive nature, offered through the two aforementioned tracks.
“We believe education is the key to success. The Sports Scholarship Program is a form of strategic inclusion within the national education funding system, offering room for sports professionals to grow and inspire,” he stated.
With this scholarship launch, the government reaffirms that sports is not only a stage for athletic achievement, but also a platform for intellectual and social actualization. It is a powerful statement that the state is present — from the early days of athletes’ careers to their future beyond the field.
