JAKARTA — Indonesia's Minister of Youth and Sports, Erick Thohir, expressed appreciation for Papua Governor Matius D. Fakhiri for his commitment to advancing sports in Papua Province.

The support is seen as a strategic step in maintaining the continuity of regional athletic achievement, particularly in football.

Erick Thohir highlighted the serious attention given by the Papua Provincial Government under Governor Fakhiri's leadership to football development through the organization of various local tournaments.

"The Regent's Cup, Mayor's Cup, and Governor's Cup tournaments are not only competitive events, but also platforms for nurturing young Papuan talents who will later be prepared to compete in prestigious events such as the President's Cup," Erick Thohir said at his private residence on Sunday afternoon (April 12, 2026).

Erick said that Papua has long been known as one of the nation's main sources of athletic talent, especially in football.

"Many talented players from Papua have made major contributions to the development of Indonesian football and have strengthened the national team as well as professional clubs across the country," he said.

He hopes the efforts that have been made can continue and be further strengthened. He also invited all stakeholders in Papua to maintain the region's positive image as a center for producing Indonesia's top athletes.

"Papua has extraordinary potential in sports. We must continue to protect and develop it so that even more of Indonesia's best athletes are born from here, especially in football," Erick said.

With sustained commitment, Papua is expected to remain one of the key pillars in the development of national sports and to serve as an inspiration for other regions in developing young athletic talent.

Meanwhile, Papua Governor Matius D. Fakhiri said that his meeting with the Minister of Youth and Sports was a strategic step to obtain direction and support from the central government for sports development in his region.

Fakhiri emphasized his commitment to restoring Papua's reputation as a region widely known for producing outstanding athletes, as it was during its earlier golden era.

"From the 1970s to the 1990s, Papua had many high-achieving athletes, not only in football, and it is our commitment to restore that image," he said firmly.

He also referred to the spirit once built by the late Governor Lukas Enembe in advancing sports in Papua.

"With synergy between the central and regional governments, it is hoped that the development of the sports sector in Papua can proceed more optimally and produce a generation of outstanding athletes who bring honor to the nation," Governor Fakhiri said.

Most importantly, Fakhiri added, in advancing sports in Papua Province there should be no interference from business interests, let alone politics, because that would only be counterproductive.

"In the structure of the sports world, there must be people who truly understand and know what they are doing, not just anyone, including within the KONI structure. In that way, Papua will rise again as it was once known — as a storehouse of outstanding athletes," the Governor concluded. ***