Minister of Youth and Sports Erick Thohir has taken a strategic step in establishing a collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding with the Preston Robert Tisch Institute for Global Sport, New York University (NYU). (Myaskovsky: Courtesy of NYU Photo Bureau)
NEW YORK – Indonesia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports (Kemenpora) officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, with the Preston Robert Tisch Institute for Global Sport at New York University (NYU), establishing a historic strategic partnership to develop the nation’s athletic ecosystem through global education, research, and modern industry management.
The milestone agreement was signed at the university’s campus by Indonesian Sports Minister Erick Thohir and Angie Kamath, Dean of the NYU School of Professional Studies. The Tisch Institute at NYU is recognized globally as a leading educational and research institution focused on leadership development, sports policy, business, and data-driven innovation.
Shifting the Paradigm to an Economic Engine
Through this international collaboration, Kemenpora aims to fundamentally transform how the domestic sports sector is structured and perceived. Minister Erick Thohir emphasized that under the administration of President Prabowo, a top priority is moving away from treating sports solely as a national expense or “cost center.”
“Sports is not just about developing athletes’ potential and winning competitions,” Minister Erick explained. “Sports has also become a powerful industry that creates jobs, attracts investment, drives economic growth, and promotes a healthier society.”
He noted that the initiative seeks to mirror the robust, investment-friendly sports ecosystem proven to drive national economies in countries like the United States.
(Photo Credit: Erick Thohir personal social media account)
Three Key Pillars of Cooperation
The partnership outlines three primary focus areas to modernize and expand Indonesia’s athletic infrastructure:
- Sports Management Education: Opening specialized academic pathways at NYU for high-achieving Indonesian athletes and sports executives to build international leadership capabilities.
- Research and Talent Development: Elevating domestic talent in sports diplomacy, policy innovation, and strategic institutional management using NYU’s global data and resources.
- Economic Transformation & Sport Tourism: Advancing regional sport tourism, securing sustainable corporate sponsorships, attracting foreign investment, and generating high-value employment across local creative and athletic industries.
The collaboration marks a definitive step toward creating an environment where the Indonesian sports ecosystem can thrive sustainably, fostering a new generation of sports leaders while elevating Indonesia’s competitive standing on the global stage.
Oleh R. Kurniawan