VP Gibran Meets Hockey Federation to Boost International Ambitions

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian hockey has received a strong signal of government backing, following a meeting between Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka and officials from the Indonesian Hockey Federation (FHI) to discuss strategies for elevating the national team onto the international stage.

According to an official statement released in Jakarta on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, Gibran emphasized that, in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s directives, sporting achievements must be supported by a resilient ecosystem.

As a concrete step, he pledged to encourage cross-sector collaboration to strengthen athlete preparation. “The government will help," FHI Secretary-General Yasser Arafat Suaidy said after the meeting at the Vice-Presidential Palace on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

"Following the Vice President’s guidance, funding solutions will be sought through sponsorship schemes or "foster parents", involving both state-owned enterprises and the private sector,” he added.

During the discussion, VP Gibran also urged athletes to remain focused and disciplined in their pursuit of excellence. “We were asked to stay focused, maintain achievements, and aim for higher honors while defending our existing gold medals,” Yasser noted.

FHI highlighted Indonesia’s recent successes, including the men’s indoor team’s consecutive gold medals at the 2023 and 2025 SEA Games, and the qualification of both men’s and women’s outdoor teams for the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan.

Yasser also praised President Prabowo’s policy of offering career opportunities for accomplished athletes in state institutions.

To date, 34 hockey players have joined the Indonesian National Police, while others serve in the Army and Air Force, an initiative seen as proof of the state’s commitment to securing athletes’ futures.

National team captain Revo Priliandro stressed the importance of sustained government support for long-term training camps.

“We need extended national training programs to prepare for the 2027 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, as well as the upcoming Asian Games this September. We hope this can be realized soon,” he said.

The meeting reflects a broader effort to ensure that Indonesia’s hockey teams not only maintain regional dominance but also build the foundation to compete at higher levels internationally, with government, federation, and athletes working hand in hand. ***