HOLOPIS.COM, JAKARTA – Indonesia’s National Olympic Committee (NOC Indonesia) is seeking to strengthen the country’s sports ecosystem after studying athlete development, sports governance, and funding models in the United States through the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP).
“Indonesia has enormous potential. Through the IVLP, we saw how the United States develops athletes from talent identification at a young age through elite competition, supported by a mature and well-integrated sports ecosystem,” NOC Indonesia Chairman Raja Sapta Oktohari said, Holopis.com reported, Thursday (9/7).
Okto said one of the program’s biggest takeaways was that sporting success cannot be achieved through isolated initiatives but requires a strong and sustainable ecosystem.
He highlighted the role of U.S. universities, particularly through the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), in developing elite athletes while combining education, competition, sports science, and character building.
Okto said several aspects of the U.S. model could be adapted to Indonesia as the government seeks to strengthen long-term athlete development.
He added that the delegation would present its findings to Youth and Sports Minister Erick Thohir for further evaluation.
A 10-member delegation from NOC Indonesia participated in the IVLP from June 18 to June 29, visiting Chicago, Indianapolis, Colorado Springs, and Los Angeles.
During the program, the delegation met with officials from the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), Indiana University, the Indiana Sports Corp, and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
According to Okto, one of the most valuable lessons came from the U.S. Olympic movement’s diversified funding model.
He said the USOPC relies on multiple revenue streams, including sponsorships, broadcasting rights, licensing agreements, donations, commercial partnerships, and private fundraising through foundations, creating long-term financial sustainability for Team USA.
The delegation also observed how American universities serve not only as educational institutions but also as centers for athlete development, sports science research, competition, and leadership training.
Okto thanked the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Embassy in Indonesia, and all participating institutions for hosting the delegation during the exchange program.
He expressed hope that the IVLP would strengthen cooperation between Indonesia and the United States in sports, education, leadership, and people-to-people exchanges.
Meanwhile, U.S. Embassy spokesperson Jamie Ravetz said the IVLP reflects the United States’ commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation and knowledge exchange with Indonesia.
“The United States is pleased to host NOC Indonesia through the International Visitor Leadership Program. Sports have long served as a bridge between our two countries, and we believe the relationships built during this program will help strengthen the future of Indonesian sports while deepening our longstanding partnership,” Ravetz said.
