RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s sports development received a boost as the Ministry of Youth and Sports welcomed a new partnership between the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and MILO Indonesia, underscoring the growing role of private sector collaboration in nurturing grassroots talent.

The memorandum of understanding for the new partnership was signed at FIBA Indonesia’s office in Menara Danareksa on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, by FIBA Chief Operating Officer Patrick Mariller and MILO Indonesia Business Unit Manager Alaa Sahaban.

Both expressed appreciation to the Indonesian Ministry of Youth and Sports for supporting the initiative.

Minister of Youth and Sports Erick Thohir emphasized that advancing national sports requires more than government involvement. It also depends on active participation from private partners.

“I truly appreciate MILO and FIBA for their commitment to developing sports in schools. This cooperation is a positive step for basketball, one of the most popular sports in Indonesia, and I hope it can reach communities at the grassroots level,” Erick said, as quoted on the ministry's official website on Thursday, May 7.

Looking ahead, Erick noted that the ministry will strengthen collaboration with various stakeholders to expand grassroots programs, particularly in training and certifying basketball coaches and referees.

“As directed by the President, we must build national talent," the minister said.

He added that the program is a synergy between the Youth and Sports Ministry, National Development Planning Agency, Elementary and Secondary Education Ministry, and the Ministry of Culture, with a focus on increasing the number of coaches and referees by involving interested teachers and certifying them through the federation.

Patrick Mariller highlighted the shared vision behind the cooperation, stressing the importance of promoting healthy lifestyles among children through sports.

“Today is an important milestone for FIBA. Our partnership with MILO is one of our strategic achievements this year, and we hope to spread the spirit of healthy living through basketball down to the grassroots,” he said.

MILO Indonesia’s Alaa Sahaban echoed this commitment, expressing full support for the collaboration with FIBA, the Youth and Sports Ministry, and the Association of Indonesian Basketballs (Perbasi).

“Through this partnership, we aim to help build a generation that is active and healthy through basketball, while spreading boundless positive energy,” he concluded. ***