Ministry Pushes Disability Sports Mobilizers to Expand Access Down to the Village

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia's Ministry of Youth and Sports continues to encourage disability sports mobilizers to expand access to physical activity for people with disabilities across the country. They are expected to become inspirators, motivators, and pioneers of inclusive sports within communities, down to the village level.

The call was made during a sports event and Training of Trainer (ToT) session for Empowered Disability Sports Mobilizers in the Special Region of Yogyakarta. This was stated in information received from the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Indonesia on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.

The program is part of the Ministry's effort to build a sports ecosystem that is inclusive, sustainable, and accessible to all segments of society, including people with disabilities. Through this activity, the ministry aims to ensure that the public's right to move and exercise is not merely rhetoric, but is genuinely realized on the ground.

Assistant Deputy for Community Sports, Yayat Suyatna, affirmed that people with disabilities have the same right to move and exercise as the general public. "Everyone has the right to move and exercise. That's why we need the support of all of you as mobilizers," he said.

He explained that mobilizers must go beyond mastering technical sports skills. They are also required to understand the characteristics of each person with a disability, so that the activities provided truly match each individual's needs and condition, ensuring that the assistance given is appropriate and safe.

Beyond technical skills and understanding disability characteristics, mobilizers are also encouraged to build networks with special needs schools (SLB), communities, local governments, and sports organizations. This cross-sector collaboration is expected to reach people with disabilities who have not yet had access to sports activities.

Ministry of Youth and Sports is also encouraging the use of public spaces so they serve not only as recreational areas but also as spaces where the public, including people with disabilities, can exercise. "If you still face difficulties, communicate and consult about them. After that, collaborate with peers and the surrounding environment," Suyatna said.

The Head of the Yogyakarta Special Region's Education, Youth, and Sports Office, Raden Suci Rohmadi, said the ToT for Disability Sports Mobilizers is not merely a training program. She hopes the activity can grow into a shared movement to strengthen sports that are inclusive and equitable for everyone.

She also expressed hope that participants would be able to adapt to developments in technology, training methods, and sports coaching systems without abandoning humanitarian values. "Through sports, we don't just train the body, but also ignite spirit, build self-confidence, and open space for equality," she said.

Ministry of Youth and Sports hopes that the expanding movement for inclusive sports will make the public more active and healthy. In the long run, a strong sports culture is also expected to serve as one of the foundations supporting national sporting achievement.