Indonesia Considers Limited Dual Citizenship to Harness Diaspora Athletes

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – The Indonesia Aquatics (Akuatik Indonesia) has expressed strong support for the government’s proposal to introduce limited dual citizenship for diaspora athletes, describing it as a breakthrough that could expand opportunities for individuals of Indonesian descent who train abroad and show potential to strengthen the national team.

Akuatik Indonesia Deputy Chairman I for Performance Development and Sport Science, Wisnu Wardhana, said the initiative deserves recognition. “We strongly support this idea of citizenship with special requirements. From a sports perspective, it is a government breakthrough worth appreciating,” he stated in Jakarta on Thursday, August 20, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Wisnu emphasized that the policy must be applied selectively, with achievements and potential as decisive factors. “Performance must be the main consideration. They need to have the quality and potential to represent Indonesia at the SEA Games, Asian Games, and even the Olympics,” he explained.

Akuatik Indonesia has already celebrated success stories from diaspora swimmers such as Masniari Wolf and Felix Viktor Iberle.

Masniari, of Indonesian‑German descent, captured gold in the women’s 50m backstroke at three consecutive SEA Games (2021, 2023, 2025). Felix made history in 2023 by becoming Indonesia’s first swimmer to win gold at the Junior World Swimming Championships in Netanya, Israel, before adding a SEA Games gold in 2025.

“Masniari and Felix are examples of talented athletes with Indonesian roots who have achieved remarkable success. Such talent must continue to be supported,” Wisnu said.

He clarified that this approach differs from naturalizing foreign athletes without Indonesian lineage. Akuatik Indonesia, he said, is prioritizing diaspora athletes with direct Indonesian ties. “We are still focusing on those with Indonesian blood. This gives us confidence that many other diaspora athletes can be supported and potentially strengthen Indonesia’s team,” he added.

The federation has been monitoring young diaspora swimmers abroad, particularly in the United States. However, Wisnu stressed that being part of the diaspora does not automatically guarantee a place on the national team. “We don’t recruit diaspora athletes just because they are overseas. Their achievements must be promising. If their quality is below our current national athletes, we must reconsider,” he concluded.

The government’s proposal for limited dual citizenship is part of a broader revision of the Citizenship Law, designed to accommodate diaspora talent with skills needed by the nation. ***