Jakarta, IO – The Indonesian Olympic Committee (NOC Indonesia) is leveraging its participation in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) in the United States as a pivotal momentum to strengthen the nation’s sports ecosystem. The planned transformation focuses on integrating youth athlete development, good governance, sport funding, sport marketing, and optimizing the role of academia as hubs for talent scouting and elite athlete development.
President of NOC Indonesia, Raja Sapta Oktohari, underscored the US as a prime global benchmark for sports development. As the world’s third most populous country, the US consistently secures a top-three finish in the medal standings at every Olympic Games, competing closely alongside China and Great Britain.
“Indonesia is a great nation with a population of 280 million, making it the fourth largest country after the US. We possess immense potential. Through the IVLP, we observed firsthand how the US builds its athlete development pathway—spanning talent scouting, youth, junior, to elite levels. This entire pipeline is bolstered by a highly developed and robust sports ecosystem and industry,” said Raja Sapta Oktohari, known as Okto, Tuesday (7/7)
Okto added that the success pillars of the US sports ecosystem are comprehensively driven by multiple sectors, including universities, professional organizational management, financial sustainability, marketing strategies, anti-doping oversight, sports science, and sports entrepreneurship.
Led by Okto, the NOC Indonesia delegation comprised nine cross-sectoral representatives, including Treasurer Tommy Hermawan Lo; Executive Committee members Josephine Tampubolon, Krisna Bayu, and Greysia Polii; Deputy Secretary General Cresida Mariska; Team Indonesia Director Richard Sam Bera; Safeguarding Officer Tabitha Charmaine Sumendap; Project Strategist Tara Talitha; and Media & Public Relations Consultant Brigitha Sesilya. The IVLP program ran intensively from June 18 to 29, 2026.
Okto added the most crucial takeaway from the program is the realization that world-class sporting achievements cannot be built through partial or instant approaches. High performance absolute requires a robust, integrated, and sustainable ecosystem.
“The US integrates universities as the primary talent pipeline for national athletes through the NCAA [National Collegiate Athletic Association]. This academic-based development concept is highly relevant to be adopted in Indonesia.
Furthermore, President Prabowo has a great vision to advance national sports and has signaled strong support for long-term National Training Centers [Pelatnas]. We will report the insights gained from the IVLP directly to Minister of Youth and Sports Erick Thohir, so that these proven concepts can be reviewed and adapted to the characteristics of Indonesian sports,” Okto explained.
Throughout the IVLP itinerary, the NOC Indonesia delegation visited four strategic regions: Chicago, Indianapolis, Colorado Springs, and Los Angeles.
In Chicago, the delegation participated in the inaugural Indonesian-American Games, an initiative spearheaded by the Indonesian diaspora community.
In Indianapolis, the delegation held discussions with Indiana University Head Swim Coach Ray Looze, toured campus sports facilities, and met with the Indiana Sports Corp—a dedicated organization renowned for successfully hosting and developing major sporting events.
Meanwhile, in Colorado Springs, widely recognized as the “Olympic City,” the NOC Indonesia delegation engaged in intensive dialogues with the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), alongside touring the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum.
“From the USOPC, we gained valuable insights into achieving strong financial sustainability. Team USA’s funding model is backed by diversified sources, ranging from corporate sponsorships, broadcasting rights, licensing, donations, commercial partnerships, to private fundraising through foundations to engage high-net-worth individuals, philanthropists, and the business community,” Okto added.
The program concluded in Los Angeles, where the delegation toured the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), which is slated to serve as the Athletes’ Village for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Okto reiterated that the central role of US universities as hubs for research, high-level competition, and athlete character building should serve as a fresh inspiration for Indonesia’s academic and sporting sectors.
Okto also expressed his highest appreciation to the US Department of State, the US Embassy in Indonesia, and all institutions that warmly received the Indonesian delegation. He hopes that the IVLP will serve not only as a platform for knowledge exchange but also as a foundation for closer bilateral collaboration through people-to-people diplomacy in sports and leadership.
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“Sports is an instrument for nation-building, diplomacy, and long-term investment in our youth. With a resilient ecosystem, good governance, sustainable funding, and consistent development, Indonesia can build a firmer foundation toward achieving podium success on the global stage and at the Olympics,” Okto concluded.
Meanwhile, US Embassy Spokesperson Jamie Ravetz stated that the IVLP is part of the United States’ concrete commitment to strengthening cooperation and knowledge exchange with Indonesia across various sectors, including sports.
“The United States is delighted to host the International Visitor Leadership Program for the NOC Indonesia delegation. Sports has always been a powerful bridge connecting the people of our two nations. We are confident that the insights and connections forged during this program will not only strengthen the future of Indonesian sports but also solidify the long-standing partnership between our two countries,” said Ravetz. (rp)
