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Indonesia and Russia have agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation in the fields of youth development and sport, marking a new step towards strengthening people-to-people ties and enhancing athletic excellence in both countries, reports ANTARA.
The agreement was discussed during a meeting between Indonesia’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Erick Thohir, and Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Indonesia, Sergey Tolchenov. The talks focused on expanding collaboration through athlete training initiatives, youth exchange programmes and participation in international sporting events.
Speaking after the meeting, Minister Thohir emphasised Indonesia’s commitment to broadening global opportunities for its young people while reinforcing the national athlete development ecosystem in priority sports disciplines. He noted that cooperation with Russia represents a strategic move to enhance the capabilities and international competitiveness of Indonesian athletes.
Both sides highlighted the importance of sharing expertise and best practices, particularly drawing on Russia’s structured approach to sports development. Such collaboration is expected to contribute to improved performance in international competitions and to foster long-term human resource development within the sector.
In addition to traditional sports cooperation, the discussions explored opportunities in the sports industry, including the development of phygital sports – a rapidly emerging field that combines physical athletic performance with digital technologies.
According to the source, the initiative aligns with Indonesia’s broader digital transformation agenda and aims to position the country within the expanding global landscape of technology-driven sports. Enhanced cooperation is also expected to inspire a new generation of athletes, promote cultural exchange and strengthen mutual understanding between the two nations.