Indonesia Launches Berdaya Training Program for Disability Sports Facilitators

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta — The Youth and Sports Minister, Erick Thohir, officially launched the Training of Trainers (ToT) program for Disability Sports Facilitators, titled Berdaya (Empowered), at the Indonesia Paralympic Training Center in Delingan Village, Karanganyar Regency, Central Java, on Monday, May 11, 2026. The program drew 200 participants from 29 regions across Indonesia. Organized under the Youth and Sports Ministry' Deputy for Sports Development in partnership with the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) Indonesia, the initiative aims to cultivate a new generation of qualified coaches and facilitators for athletes with disabilities.

"Thank God, one of the Ministry's flagship programs has officially begun today. This is the result of collaborative thinking between our team and NPC," said Minister Erick at the opening ceremony.

The Ministry, together with NPC Indonesia, sports experts, and the Chef de Mission (CdM) of the Asian Para Games, agreed that producing more disabled athletes hinges on the availability of competent coaches. The Berdaya ToT program represents a collective commitment to strengthening Indonesia's disability sports ecosystem and creating pathways for emerging athletes.

"It is impossible to develop athletes from the regions without guidance from those who truly understand how to nurture athletic talent. Today, thank God, we are working to certify that expertise," said the Minister.

He further emphasized that the program is not an exercise in institutional isolation. "This does not mean the Youth and Sports Ministry is operating as an 'ivory tower.' We are working hand-in-hand with NPC so that when trainers return to their regions, they carry recognized qualifications as certified training experts," he added.

Erick affirmed the Ministry's commitment to sustaining and expanding the program, in alignment with President Prabowo's Asta Cita vision, which places strong emphasis on the welfare of persons with disabilities, including support after their competitive careers end.

"We must not let these athletes be remembered only during their glory days, only to receive nothing more than a word of thanks once they retire," said the Minister, as he pinned participant badges on representatives of the newly certified trainers.

NPC Indonesia Chairperson, Senny Marbun, welcomed the initiative with enthusiasm, singling out Minister Erick for praise. "I believe this is one of the most outstanding achievements of the Youth and Sports Ministry, and the first of its kind. We are truly grateful to Mister Erick Thohir for his leadership as minister," he said.

Senny added that the minister's work is already laying visible and tangible foundations for sports development in Indonesia.

Chef de Mission (CdM) for the 2026 Asian Para Games, Reda Mathovani, also expressed strong support and voiced hope that the ToT program would be integrated into NPC's broader framework. "We hope this Ministry's ToT program will connect with NPC Indonesia's existing programs and continue long into the future, so that the development of disability athletes can proceed effectively and successfully."

Reda announced that the CdM office is providing logistical support through two key initiatives, which are Jaga Inklusi Juara (Maintaining Inclusive as Champion), a comprehensive database storing data on all disability athletes. The other one is Mendobrak Batas (Breaking Boundaries), a talent identification program designed to discover and recruit future athletes with disabilities. (Annaila Azzahra/EN)