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REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — Menpora Erick Thohir encourages PB Percasi to make a breakthrough in developing the sport industry and sport tourism to improve the achievements of Indonesian chess athletes to the world level. This was stated by Menpora when opening the National Consultation (Munas) XXX PB Percasi 2026 at The Tavia Heritage Hotel, Cempaka Putih, Jakarta, Saturday (11/4/2026).
According to Erick, sport doesn't just talk about achievement, it also has to be supported by a strong industry. He believes that without the growth of the sports industry, achievement of achievements will be difficult to sustain.
“Fundamentally this chess is in great demand. But sport is not just an achievement, there is also a sports industry. If it's just an achievement without industry, it's hard to develop,” he said.
Erick added that the global sports industry has enormous value and contributes significantly to the advancement of achievement in different countries. Because of this, he emphasized the importance of synergies between the government, the private sector, and the purchasing power of the public.
Furthermore, Erick judged chess to have great potential not only as a sport, but also as a means of character formation, such as strategy, discipline, and patience. He also encourages the use of digital platforms to develop chess, including online tournaments that can be part of the economic drive and sports tourism.
“We must drive transformation, including the digitization of chess. Why isn't there a breakthrough in online chess that can become a major tournament and support sport tourism,” he said.
The government, Erick continued, stands ready to support the transformation of sport through a range of programmes, including category-based coaching of athletes, from elite athletes to young athletes as part of regeneration.
Meanwhile, PB Percasi General Chairman Utut Adianto said that Munas this time became the momentum of leadership regeneration as well as strengthening the digitalization of chess in Indonesia. He hopes the game of chess will become more massive in schools.
Chairman of KONI Center Marciano Norman, who attended, hopes that the new leadership of Percasi will be able to continue the program that has been running and to produce new grandmasters of excellence on the world stage.
Munas PB Perbasi 2026 was attended by 33 out of 37 provincial representatives throughout Indonesia, as part of the consolidation of the organization in the face of the challenges and opportunities of the development of national chess going forward.
