Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) Erick Thohir emphasized that the government will promote the sports industry, including the development of sports tourism, as a new engine of economic growth that will open up widespread job opportunities in Indonesia."We at the Ministry of Youth and Sports now have a Deputy for Sports Industry Development, Sports Cultivation, and an Expert Staff for International Relations. We want the sports industry to not only produce achievements but also create jobs and stimulate tourism," said Erick at the launch of the Satria Muda Pertamina Bandung basketball club's 2026 season team and jersey at the C-Tra Arena Sports Hall in Bandung on Monday.
According to Erick, the presence of a professional basketball club of Satria Muda's caliber provides a strategic opportunity to integrate athlete achievement with the creative economy ecosystem.
The government, he continued, fully supports the idea of developing supporting infrastructure, from the construction of a sports museum to an integrated academy to strengthen the city's identity as a sports tourism destination.
West Java Deputy Governor Erwan Setiawan believes that the move of Satria Muda's home base to Bandung further strengthens West Java's position as a center of champion talent in the country.
